MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation

Infectious diseases know no borders, necessitating a borderless strategy for disease prevention in Europe.

MEP Interest Group in Life Course Immunisation

The MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation (LCI) promotes the importance of vaccination across all ages and advocates for comprehensive immunisation policies within the European Union.

This group will play a pivotal role in shaping discourse, influencing legislation, and raising awareness on life-course immunisation within the European legislative framework.

Unlike official parliamentary committees, MEP Interest Groups operate more informally, allowing for a flexible and dynamic approach to advocacy and policy development.

This group will facilitate:

Cross-Party Collaboration
Focused Advocacy
Expert Engagement
Policy Influence

Through advocacy, knowledge-sharing, capacity building and policy influencing, the MEP Interest Group will promote awareness of the importance of immunisation throughout the life course – from infancy through adolescence to adulthood and into older age. By championing evidence-based strategies and fostering dialogue, the group aims to support efforts to improve and harmonise vaccination coverage, combat vaccine refusal, and ensure equitable access to vaccines in Europe.

MEP Interest Group Goals (2024-2029)

Enhancing Life Course Immunisation through all Policies
Ensuring Equitable Access
Strengthening Scientific Collaboration

Co-chairs

MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis

Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament

MEP Tomislav Sokol

Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)

Members

MEP Andras Kulja

Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)

MEP Liudas Mažulis

Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)

Scientific Panel

Professor Vytautas Usonis | CLCI & University Vilnius

Professor Walter Ricciardi | Mission Board on Vaccination Europe & Catholic University of Sacred Heart Rome

Actions

Inform and Equip MEPs
- - - Establish a scientific panel to provide evidence-based recommendations and support the interest group.
    - Provide information packs, reports, translations of scientific information, key messaging
Raise awareness of life course immunisation
- - - Organise and host virtual and in-person meetings
    - Support MEPs to submit questions and statements to parliamentary debates
Collaborate effectively
- - - Use the scientific panel and platforms like EHDS to enhance collaboration and inform policy.
    - Collaborate with other NGOs, networks, events and projects that align with the Interest Group objectives.
Evaluate & adapt
- - - Conduct yearly evaluations to assess the progress of our initiatives and make necessary adjustments.
    - Track community engagement via digital media analytics and annual surveys.
    - Track engagement with parliamentary discussion eg. the number of questions contributed to and outcomes.

Secretariat

The secretariat is provided by the Coalition for Life Course Immunisation (CLCI), with strategic support from independent policy consultancy, Sandra Evans Health Policy

OUR OBJECTIVES

Prevention as Priority: Elevate infectious disease prevention to a fundamental healthcare priority across EU member states, emphasising the importance of vaccines for diseases like human papilloma virus (HPV), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, influenza, and emerging threats driven by climate change.
Equitable Access: Advocate for equitable access to vaccines for all European citizens, ensuring that immunisation becomes a lifelong routine facilitated by a diverse range of healthcare professionals.
Data-Driven Healthcare: Develop the European Health Data Space to enhance cross-border data sharing and harmonisation for effective use in vaccine policy development and guidance.

HOW IT WILL WORK

Strategic Alliances & Policy Advocacy: By forming strategic alliances with European health committees and engaging in policy advocacy, the group will aim to influence health policies and funding mechanisms to prioritise life-course immunisation.
Knowledge Sharing & Capacity Building: Hosting events and roundtables to equip MEPs with knowledge and strategies to advocate for vaccination effectively. This includes leveraging adult immunisation across political and public health agendas.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Establishing mechanisms for regular review of progress towards objectives, including tracking vaccination coverage and impact on public health.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Launch of the MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation – Discover the key policy recommendations and next steps for improving European immunisation strategies.

Strategy working document – Read more about our vision and alignment with EU policies, presented at European Parliament.

LCI Infographic

Honouring Professor Vytautas Usonis: Strengthening Vaccine Education, Literacy and Trust Across the Life Course

MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation Online Meeting
📅 23 October 2026 | 12:30–13:30 Brussels time
💻 Online lunchtime meeting

To honour the legacy of Professor Vytautas Usonis, the MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation is bringing together Members of the European Parliament and invited experts for a practical, forward-looking discussion on vaccine education, health literacy, trust and misinformation.

The meeting will explore how Europe can strengthen:

education around vaccines;
action to counter vaccine misinformation;
vaccine and health literacy across the life course; and
engagement between policymakers, health professionals, educators, civil society, patient groups and the media.

The session will also consider what role MEPs and EU institutions can play in supporting better public education on vaccination and prevention, alongside new research from the Interest Group on progress in life-course immunisation across Europe.

Join us to hear from MEPs and experts, contribute to the discussion and help identify practical priorities for future action.

👉 Register via the LinkedIn event

Is Preventive Medicine a Human Right?

MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation Webinar

📅 9 September 2025 | 15:00–16:30 CET
💻 Zoom Webinar

Preventive medicine, including vaccination, plays a vital role in protecting individual and public health. But should it be recognised as a fundamental human right?

This webinar, hosted by the MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation, will bring together Members of the European Parliament, leading experts, and civil society representatives to explore this critical question.

Join us to contribute to the debate and help shape the future of Europe’s health agenda.

👉 Read the report

Life Course Immunisation Interest Group Launch

MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation Launch Event
📅 30 January 2025 | 10:30–12:00 CET
📍 European Parliament, Room A5F385

The MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation was formally launched at the European Parliament to strengthen political leadership on vaccination across all stages of life.

The Interest Group brings together Members of the European Parliament, scientific experts and health advocates to promote lifelong immunisation policies across Europe and support a more coordinated approach to preventing vaccine-preventable diseases. The initiative builds on an initial call for action in 2023 and was launched with a structured strategy focused on improving alignment, accessibility and awareness across Europe.

The launch was co-hosted by MEP Tomislav Sokol and MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis.

Speakers included:

Professor Vytautas Usonis, CLCI & University of Vilnius
Sandra Evans, SE Health Policy
MEP Tomislav Sokol, European People’s Party
MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
MEP András Kulja, European People’s Party
Professor Chiara de Waure, Mission Board on Vaccination Europe & University of Perugia

The discussion explored a number of priorities for European vaccination policy, including:

strengthening prevention within the European Health Union;
using the European Health Data Space to improve vaccination data and monitoring;
expanding access to vaccination, including through pharmacists;
supporting a more aligned European approach to life-course immunisation; and
improving public awareness and confidence in vaccination.

The launch also highlighted the need for stronger political commitment, improved cross-border cooperation, better use of vaccination data and more equitable access to immunisation throughout life.

👉 Read the launch report and learn more about the MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation.

Why support us?

Supporting the MEP Interest Group on Life Course Immunisation is crucial for organisations and individuals alike to contribute to improved public health outcomes across Europe. Your support directly contributes to raising awareness, combating vaccine refusal, and ensuring equitable access to vaccines for all.

Together, we can make a significant impact on disease prevention and the well-being of our communities.

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