UVIG MANIFESTO

Immunisation: a public health priority

Immunisation is one of the most important interventions for protecting individuals and the community from infectious diseases¹.  National immunisation programmes have delivered demonstrable reductions in morbidity and mortality, saving more lives in the UK in the last 50 years than any other health intervention. The UK currently enjoys a position of leadership in Europe, with seasonal flu uptake rates on track to meet WHO immunisation targets.  However, evidence shows that confidence in some vaccination programmes is low, such as MMR², and that uptake rates are not reaching the levels needed to protect the wider community.  The UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) fully supports the national immunisation programme in the UK, but is concerned that there is potential for this leadership position to be eroded as other countries increase their investment in vaccination programmes and maximise the benefits from vaccine innovation that are expected over the next 5 – 10 years.  

UVIG calls on an incoming government to prioritise prevention, to recognise the benefits of vaccines and vaccination in the wider public health agenda, to take a leadership role in the use of vaccines and to:  

•    Regularly publish a clear, UK wide vaccination strategy to allow global vaccine manufacturers to plan, invest and prioritise to meet the needs of the UK

•    Establish a senior level, joint vaccines industry and government forum to consider the strategic issues relating to vaccines and ensure a competitive industry  

•    Introduce a clear, consistent and consultative process for the review and recommendation of vaccines, that is aligned to regulatory and licensing timelines to avoid delays in access to vaccines

•    Increase confidence in vaccines and vaccination programmes by working with all relevant stakeholders to improve communication of  the benefits and  safety of vaccines to the public, healthcare professionals and the media

•    Support NHS and healthcare professionals to improve uptake rates for all vaccines, and work to understand why  uptake rates among healthcare professionals are below target levels and take appropriate measures

•    Support efforts to increase the research, development and manufacture of vaccines in the UK



April 2010

1  On the State of Public Health, CMO Annual Report 2007 http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/AnnualReports/DH_086176  
2  HPA Vaccine uptake and COVER data http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/1204031507699/