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European Union childhood vaccination rates decline
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe indicates that childhood vaccination rates in the European Union are stagnating or declining after decades of progress. Researchers analyzed data from 1980 to 2024 across 27 EU member states, finding that since 2019, 16 countries have experienced a drop in coverage for at least four of the seven analyzed vaccines.
Specific declines were noted in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden, where coverage fell for all seven vaccines. Romania reported the lowest coverage, falling below 80 percent. Conversely, Luxembourg and Portugal maintained the highest rates, with at least 95 percent coverage across all categories. Scientists suggest the decline, which began between 2019 and 2022, may be linked to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a separate legal development, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that mandatory vaccination for school or nursery attendance does not violate the right to respect for private life. Additionally, research suggests that political affiliation may influence vaccination intentions based on how individuals perceive the vaccination rates of opposing political groups.
Entities
Constitutional Court of Montenegro · European Court of Human Rights · European Union · Italy · Montenegro · Romania · The Lancet Regional Health – Europe · Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore · WHO
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Romania recorded the lowest vaccination coverage, falling below 80 percent. cuvajzdravlje.ba · www.klikaj.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Since 2019, 16 European countries have seen a decline in coverage for at least four of the seven analyzed vaccines. cuvajzdravlje.ba · www.insalutenews.it · www.klikaj.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Vaccination coverage for children in Europe has stagnated or declined in recent years. cuvajzdravlje.ba · www.inforand.de · www.insalutenews.it · www.klikaj.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A study found that political affiliation influences vaccination intentions based on perceptions of the opposing group's vaccination rates. www.it-boltwise.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Vaccination coverage for all seven analyzed vaccines fell in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden. cuvajzdravlje.ba · www.klikaj.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that mandatory vaccination for school or nursery attendance does not violate the right to respect for private life. www.pvinformer.me
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Luxembourg and Portugal recorded the highest vaccination rates, with at least 95 percent coverage for all seven analyzed vaccines. www.klikaj.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decline in vaccination coverage began between 2019 and 2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. www.klikaj.hr