Childhood vaccination rates across Europe have plateaued or declined in recent years, raising concerns about the erosion of both individual and herd immunity, according to a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. Researchers from Italy examined vaccination coverage trends in European Union (EU) countries for seven key vaccines between 1980 and 2024, identifying a worrying downturn beginning around 2019.
The vaccines analyzed include those for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, pneumococcus, polio, and rubella. Since 2019, at least 16 EU countries have experienced decreases in coverage for four or more of these vaccines. Notably, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden have seen declines across all seven vaccines studied. Germany and Spain reported reductions in five of the vaccines, while France and Italy showed mixed results, with coverage rising for some vaccines but falling for others.
The decline in vaccination rates coincides with the Covid-19 pandemic and its immediate aftermath, suggesting pandemic-related disruptions to routine childhood vaccination services as a potential cause. The researchers emphasize the need for coordinated international, national, and community efforts to address these setbacks and restore vaccination coverage to recommended levels.
Among the EU nations, Luxembourg and Portugal have maintained high immunization rates, achieving at least 95% coverage for all seven vaccines. In contrast, Romania reported the lowest coverage, with rates falling below 80%. The researchers warn that these trends threaten herd immunity and increase the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom underscores the importance of timely vaccination, noting that vaccines are among the most effective public health interventions to prevent infectious illnesses. The NHS advises that if children miss scheduled vaccinations, caregivers should consult healthcare providers promptly to catch up. It also highlights the prevalence of misinformation on social media, which may lack scientific basis and pose risks to public health, recommending that vaccine information be sourced from authoritative organizations such as the NHS or the World Health Organization (WHO).
“All the current evidence tells us that getting vaccinated is safer than not getting vaccinated,” the NHS states, reinforcing the critical role of vaccines in safeguarding individual and community health.
The researchers’ findings highlight a pressing public health challenge in Europe as declining childhood immunization rates could compromise progress made against infectious diseases in recent decades. Reversing these trends will require sustained efforts to counter vaccine hesitancy and ensure access to routine immunization services.