Increasing and sustaining acceptance of and demand for vaccination
WHO is improving and sustaining the acceptance of and demand for vaccination by helping countries across the WHO European Region identify the behavioural and social drivers of vaccination and the barriers that prevent uptake. Through technical guidance, tools and capacity-building, WHO supports health authorities and partners to design and implement tailored interventions – including training for health workers, evidence-based communication strategies, community engagement approaches and educational initiatives – to build trust, increase confidence in vaccines and improve vaccination uptake.
Gaps in vaccination coverage exist in nearly every country. The reasons can be varied and may include challenges related to vaccine acceptance and demand, alongside other access and system-related barriers. National immunization programmes, health professionals and political leaders all have a vital role in building and maintaining public confidence in vaccines and vaccination.
Efforts to achieve and sustain high vaccination coverage require insights into why some people delay or decline vaccination despite available services. Understanding the drivers of and barriers to vaccination among specific populations can help inform local solutions that build vaccine confidence, strengthen demand and increase vaccine uptake at all ages.
Achieving and sustaining high vaccination coverage across all populations is a priority of immunization programmes in the Region, as outlined in the European Immunization Agenda 2030. In support of this objective, WHO/Europe’s Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme provides technical support to health authorities, partners and other stakeholders to:
- identify drivers of and barriers to vaccination and inform tailored interventions to increase vaccine uptake;
- strengthen the health-care workforce to recommend and deliver vaccination with confidence;
- engage communities with information, dialogue and education on vaccination;
- develop the capacity of national authorities to manage crisis communication and deliver timely and effective responses to events that may erode trust in vaccines; and
- support national immunization programmes in introducing new vaccines, using insights into vaccination-related behaviours, education and communication activities.
