European Immunization Week 2014: Immunization for life

​ECDC supports European Immunization Week (EIW) 2014, which is a regional initiative, led and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe  and implemented by Member States of the European Region. This year EIW has the theme 'Immunization for life', celebrating immunization at every stage of life. Activities organized at local and national level throughout the European Region are designed to raise awareness among health care workers, policy-makers, parents, grandparents and others of the benefits of full immunization.Recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases have demonstrated that so-called childhood diseases also affect teenagers and young adults, sometimes with severe consequences. EIW’s objective this year is to raise awareness of the importance of full protection among the entire population, no matter what the age. In order achieve this, countries could consider how to close persistent gaps in immunization coverage, particularly among hard-to-reach groups, and ensure people get the boosters required in adulthood.