Insights from the first technical meeting of the Adult Immunization Board: Assessing the health burden of vaccine-preventable infections in European adults

After a successful kick-off meeting in November 2022, the AIB had its first technical meeting entitled: Assessing the health burden of vaccine-preventable infections in European Adults: challenges and opportunities. The two-day AIB meeting with 50 participants took place in April 2023 at the University of Antwerp and was a unique gathering of experts in research on the health burden of vaccine-preventable infections (VPIs). The objectives of the technical meeting set by the Adult Immunization Board were: To discuss the methodology and challenges in calculating the health burden of adult VPIs (focus on Europe) To provide an overview of current vaccine-preventable infections (VPIs) in the adult population (≥ 18 years of age) To understand how health burden estimates of adult VPIs shape national vaccination policies and practices and inform public health priorities To evaluate current VPIs health burden evidence to provide a convincing case for strengthening adult vaccination in Europe The AIB meeting effectively highlighted the challenges and...