EYECARE: Coronavirus BRIEFING: Crisis Response Tactics Low COVID and Flu Vaccine Uptake Among Risk Groups in Europe By Staff Thursday, October 31, 2024 8:05 AM Uptake of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among risk groups such as older adults in many European Union/European Economic Area member states between 2023 and 2024 has been suboptimal, according to two reports released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Influenza vaccination coverage for those aged 65 years or older ranged from 12% to 78% during this period, whereas COVID-19 vaccination coverage among those aged 60 years or older varied between 0.02% and 66.1%. The median COVID-19 vaccine coverage of target age groups stood at 14%. Only six countries exceeded 50% coverage, and none exceeded 80%. Máire Connolly, MB BCh, professor of global health at the University of Galway in Ireland, discussed these findings with Medscape Medical News. Suboptimal vaccination coverage rates could increase the risk of importing COVID-19 and influenza among unimmunized individuals across European states, including those with high vaccination rates like Ireland, she said. Head over to Medscape to read the full story.