COVID Transition Roadmap Launched
On 29 May 2024, the COVID Transition Initiative published the COVID Transition Roadmap.
Uptake of COVID vaccines during the 2023/24 autumn/winter season was just 12% on average among over 60s in the EU, according to the ECDC. This is considerably lower than typical the seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in most countries. This is despite the continued threat that COVID poses to public health, which has made increases in cases, hospitalisations and deaths possible in several European countries. It therefore remains imperative that at-risk groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised get vaccinated to stay protected.
This Transition Roadmap contains thirteen policy recommendations:
1. Organise regular COVID vaccination campaigns in line with national recommendations and with a particular focus on the protection of at-risk groups
2. Communicate effectively and consistently on the importance of COVID vaccination for at-risk groups
3. Increase convenience and diversify COVID vaccine access routes
4. Co-administer COVID and influenza vaccines, where clinically appropriate and supported by national recommendations
5. Empower and incentivise healthcare professionals to vaccinate against COVID
6. Make multiple COVID vaccine technologies available
7. Clarify COVID vaccine strain selection timing and process
8. Ensure procurement decisions prevent over-reliance on one COVID vaccine product
9. Encourage research and innovation into new tools against COVID
10. Review and strengthen healthcare professional training on vaccination
11. Maintain timely data monitoring and reporting on key indicators for COVID
12. Take proactive measures to address Long COVID, protect at-risk groups and minimise incidence
13. Set a 75% COVID vaccine uptake target, like for influenza
The COVID Transition Initiative was established early in 2024 as an informal, independent, multi-stakeholder group to address this issue. It is made up of leading experts, patient advocates and policymakers from across Europe. It was initiated and made possible by financial support from Novavax, yet the content and recommendations of the Transition Roadmap (and any other CTI outputs) remain the independent opinions of the CTI group members.
Read the full report here, available in multiple languages: