Researchers from Italy have presented a detailed overview of infant vaccination levels across the European Union in a study published on September 18 in The Lancet Regional Health. They analyzed coverage for seven key vaccines—diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, meningococcal B, poliomyelitis, and pneumococcus—across the 27 EU countries over a 44-year period, from 1980 to 2024. The data came from the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The study highlights that the EU has seen "historically high" vaccination rates for these diseases, with significant improvements over the past four decades. However, the progress has not been uniform. In 2024, countries like Luxembourg and Portugal achieved at least 95% coverage for all seven vaccines, while Romania had coverage below 80%. The study also found a "recent, worrying and generalized deterioration" in vaccination rates, particularly since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sixteen EU countries reported a decline in vaccination coverage for at least four of the seven vaccines. This decline was most noticeable in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden, where all seven vaccinations showed a drop in recent years. In Germany and Spain, five of the seven infant vaccines saw a decline, while France and Italy experienced mixed results—coverage increased for four vaccines (poliomyelitis, pneumococcus, measles, mumps) but decreased for three others (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, hepatitis B, meningococcal B). Hungary and Luxembourg showed the best performance, with increases in six vaccines each, followed by Denmark and Portugal. The most significant drops were observed in vaccinations against meningococcal B and poliomyelitis, which declined in 20 EU countries. Hepatitis B vaccination rates fell in 18 countries, and diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines saw declines in 17 countries. In contrast, trends for measles and mumps vaccines were relatively more stable. The majority of the decline in vaccination coverage occurred between 2019 and 2022, overlapping with the global pandemic. This period may have disrupted healthcare systems and contributed to growing distrust and the spread of misinformation about vaccines. The researchers stress the importance of maintaining high and sustainable vaccination coverage to prevent the resurgence of infectious diseases. Over the past 50 years, vaccines have significantly reduced the impact of diseases like tetanus, pertussis, pneumonia, measles, influenza, and diphtheria, preventing more than 154 million deaths worldwide, particularly among children. The study underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure public confidence in vaccination programs and to address the challenges posed by recent declines.