EU urged to vaccinate chronic disease patients

Immunisation for people living with non‑communicable diseases is set to take centre stage at a Brussels workshop next month, as advocates push for stronger EU policy integration.

Workshop aims to spotlight vaccine gaps in chronic‑illness care

The fifth edition of the #VaccinAction series, organised by the Active Citizenship Network‑Cittadinanzattiva, will convene on 2 October 2025. The event targets leaders of patients’ advocacy groups and civil‑society organisations, offering a forum to exchange data on adult vaccination against COVID‑19, seasonal flu, pneumococcal disease and RSV.

According to the organisers, adult immunisation is a cost‑effective way to protect individuals with non‑communicable diseases (NCDs). Yet uptake remains low despite evidence of reduced hospitalisations and mortality. The workshop will therefore explore how vaccines can serve as a preventive tool for cardiovascular conditions, a link highlighted in the European Society of Cardiology’s recent declaration.

Participants will hear from independent experts and will be invited to co‑create communication material for distribution across member states. The agenda includes case studies from national advocacy campaigns that have succeeded in shifting health‑policy language.

EU policy context and civil‑society lobbying

The European Commission recently closed a public consultation on its “EU Cardiovascular Health Plan” on 17 September 2025. The network contributed a submission urging the plan to embed vaccination more firmly in its recommendations. This move reflects a broader trend: health authorities are beginning to view immunisation as part of chronic‑disease management rather than a stand‑alone infection control measure.

In the workshop’s opening remarks, organisers will stress the role of civil society as a bridge between policy drafts and the lived experience of patients. They have long positioned themselves as a conduit for citizen input in EU debates, both at national and European levels.

While the workshop’s focus is on cardiovascular health, the broader implication is that vaccines could alleviate pressure on health systems dealing with a range of NCDs, from diabetes to chronic respiratory disease. By reducing infection‑related complications, immunisation may free up resources for long‑term disease management.

Organisers plan to publish a summary of the discussions, including best‑practice templates that advocacy groups can adapt for national lobbying. The final output is expected to circulate shortly after the event, offering concrete tools for stakeholders aiming to influence health policy.