🫁 Respiratory infectious diseases continue to place a significant burden on European health systems, affecting patients across the life course while putting pressure on healthcare capacity, workforce availability and service delivery. 🧭 At #EHMC2026, the focus session 'From underestimated threat to system priority: strengthening respiratory infectious disease surveillance and immunisation in Europe' will explore how stronger surveillance and immunisation strategies can support more resilient and prevention oriented health systems. 📊 The discussion will examine the impact of respiratory pathogens including RSV, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza, COVID-19, pertussis and pneumococcal disease, highlighting the importance of integrated surveillance systems and coordinated life course immunisation approaches. 🔍 Particular attention will be given to how improved testing, surveillance and data collection can help health systems anticipate demand, identify vulnerable populations and move from reactive crisis management towards more proactive and integrated models of care. 👥 Speakers: 🔸 Mr Frazer Goodwin, Policy Coordinator, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA), Belgium 🔸 Dr Nora Karara, Paediatric Specialist, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg; Chair, Young European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP), Germany 🔸 Mr Mariano Votta, Director, Active Citizenship Network, Italy 🎙️ Facilitator: 🔸 Mr Zach Desson, Principal Scientific and Policy Advisor, European Health Management Association (EHMA), Belgium 🤲 This session is organised in collaboration with @sanofi. @FrazerGoodwin @marianovotta @activecitnet @EAPaediatrics @EFA_Patients #HealthManagement #PublicHealth #RespiratoryHealth #Immunisation #HealthSystems #EuropeanHealth

🫁 Respiratory infectious diseases continue to place significant pressure on European health systems, contributing not only to high clinical burden but also to disruptions in workforce capacity, hospital operations and continuity of care during seasonal peaks. 🧭 At #EHMC2026, the focus session 'From underestimated threat to system priority: strengthening respiratory infectious disease surveillance and immunisation in Europe' will examine how integrated surveillance and life course immunisation strategies can support more resilient and proactive health systems. 📊 The discussion will explore the impact of respiratory pathogens including RSV, HMPV, influenza, COVID-19, pertussis and pneumococcal disease, highlighting the importance of coordinated surveillance systems and data driven prevention approaches to better anticipate demand and protect vulnerable populations. 💬 Bringing together perspectives from patient advocacy, paediatrics and public policy, the session will reflect on how health systems can move from reactive crisis management towards more integrated and preventive models of care. 👥 Speakers: 🔸 Mr Frazer Goodwin, Policy Coordinator, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA), Belgium 🔸 Nora Karara, MD, Paediatric Specialist, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg; Chair, Young European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP), Germany 🔸 Mr Mariano Votta, Director, Active Citizenship Network, Italy 🎙️ Facilitator: 🔸 Mr Zach Desson, Principal Scientific and Policy Advisor, European Health Management Association (EHMA), Belgium 🤲 This session is organised in collaboration with @sanofi. #HealthManagement #PublicHealth #RespiratoryHealth #Immunisation #HealthSystems #EuropeanHealth @activecitnet @EAPaediatrics @EFA_Patients @RespiratoryZone @respcare

💉 Improving vaccination coverage requires action across policy, research, advocacy and health management. On 13 May, EHMA contributed to the EU policy workshop ‘Precision Vaccinology as a New Paradigm: Which role for the patients’ involvement?’, organised by Active Citizenship Network (ACN) in Brussels. 🩺 During the session, Zachary Desson, EHMA's Principal Scientific and Policy Advisor, presented EHMA’s work over the past three years on improving vaccination coverage rates against pneumococcal disease, highlighting a multi-faceted approach to system change that combines evidence collection, policy recommendations and advocacy, and practical guidance for health managers. 🤝 The workshop brought together organisations from across the health ecosystem, including patient organisations, advocacy groups, researchers and health professionals, to exchange perspectives on vaccine confidence, community engagement and the role of patients in shaping vaccination strategies across Europe. @activecitnet @access2vaccines @Vaccinate4Life @vaccinenation @HSEImm @ImmunityCP #VaccinAction2026 #Vaccination #PublicHealth #HealthManagement #Prevention