Overcoming obstacles to vaccination

Programme: EU4Health Programme (HaDEA)
Project Status: ONGOING (July 2022 – January 2025) 


What aims and scope

The Overcoming Obstacles to Vaccination project aims to support European Union Member States in overcoming obstacles to vaccination of physical, practical, and administrative nature, and increase vaccination coverage rates across the region.

How it will become possible 

Over the course of three years, the consortium–Kantar Public, EHMA, ifok., the European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA), and the European Academy of Paediatrics–will partner with national and regional health authorities in all 27 EU Member States to complete six core tasks: 

  • Carry out a mapping of vaccination services in every EU Member State, with the support of designated country experts, to determine obstacles to vaccination of physical, practical and administrative nature
  • Conduct a large-scale survey of EU citizens and health professionals in all EU Member States to determine to what extent these obstacles have a negative impact on vaccination coverage rates
  • Identify and analyse best practices developed by EU Member States to overcome these obstacles
  • Organise on-site visits to the EU Member States from which best practices have been identified, so as to promote international knowledge-sharing and cross-pollination between health authorities 
  • Implement pilots of selected best practices in EU Member States to evaluate effectiveness, efficiency and transferability 
  • Develop final recommendations for overcoming obstacles to vaccination to present to the European Commission

Where EHMA will deliver

EHMA takes part in all of these tasks and will provide expertise and support in a range of activities including:

  • The recruitment and engagement of health authorities in EU Member States
  • The mapping of vaccination services in the EU
  • The collection and piloting of best practices
  • The development of final recommendations 

 

Funding
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This page and the publications contained herein only reflect the author’s views. The European Union is not liable for any use that might be made of the information contained in this page and publications.

WHY YOU WILL BENEFIT

Insights gathered throughout the project are constantly being added to a public repository hosted on the project website. This information can help health managers across Europe make more informed and cost-effective decisions related to vaccinations.

The evidence gathered will also help better influence policymaking decisions at different levels.

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What our Members say

I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.

Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy

Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.

Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria

I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.

Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta

EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.

Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK

Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.

Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary

As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.

Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal

Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.

Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK

Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.

Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain