Report of the working group for improving vaccination activities
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
13.06.2019
Julkaisusarja:
Reports and Memorandums of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2019:53This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
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http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-00- 4098-7Tiivistelmä
The Finnish national vaccination programme has significantly reduced the mortality rate and disease burden caused by many infectious diseases. From an international perspective, vaccination coverage is good in Finland. However, the coverage varies between regions and vaccines, which diminishes the benefits of vaccination and may expose the population to epidemics.
Disappearance of some infectious diseases as result of vaccination has led to situation where part of the population lacks understanding of the severity of vaccine-preventable diseases and the benefits of vaccination. The internet and social media enable spreading information that questions the benefits of vaccination and exaggerates the risks of vaccines. In addition to weakened trust in vaccination, also current challenges in the healthcare services may lead to inadequate vaccination coverage of part of the population.
The expert working group was appointed to examine, from legislative and practical perspectives, how to improve coverage of the vaccination programme. The group also considered matters related to fundamental rights: social benefits for families and children, early childhood education and other educational services, as well as possibilities to amend legislation on voluntary vaccination.
The working group proposes several actions to improve the vaccination coverage in Finland. The proposals focus on developing the service system, increasing knowledge through education, improving communication on vaccination, strengthening research on promotion of vaccination activities, and developing the relevant legislation.
Disappearance of some infectious diseases as result of vaccination has led to situation where part of the population lacks understanding of the severity of vaccine-preventable diseases and the benefits of vaccination. The internet and social media enable spreading information that questions the benefits of vaccination and exaggerates the risks of vaccines. In addition to weakened trust in vaccination, also current challenges in the healthcare services may lead to inadequate vaccination coverage of part of the population.
The expert working group was appointed to examine, from legislative and practical perspectives, how to improve coverage of the vaccination programme. The group also considered matters related to fundamental rights: social benefits for families and children, early childhood education and other educational services, as well as possibilities to amend legislation on voluntary vaccination.
The working group proposes several actions to improve the vaccination coverage in Finland. The proposals focus on developing the service system, increasing knowledge through education, improving communication on vaccination, strengthening research on promotion of vaccination activities, and developing the relevant legislation.