On 7-8 October, EUVABECO partners gathered at Linköping University, Sweden, to officially launch the pilot implementation phase of the project, marking a major milestone. This meeting followed months of dedicated collaboration to develop the draft implementation plans, which will be publicly available on our website by the end of October 2024.
Given the diverse public health landscapes across Europe, the flexibility of these plans is crucial. The meeting offered a valuable opportunity for tool experts and implementing partners to engage in detailed discussions, addressing challenges they’ve already faced and sharing strategies to overcome them. It also allowed the consortium to reflect on how we can improve collaboration, exploring ways to optimize teamwork and make the most of each partner’s expertise.
A highlight of the event was a keynote speech by Dr. Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s former state epidemiologist, who played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s response to COVID-19. Dr. Tegnell shared insights into Sweden’s unique approach, which notably avoided lockdowns, distinguishing it from many other European countries. He explained that, while vaccination was the cornerstone of Sweden’s success in controlling the pandemic, different contexts demand tailored solutions. This aligns with EUVABECO’s philosophy: instead of promoting a one-size-fits-all approach, we offer a flexible suite of voluntary tools to help countries strengthen their vaccination programs in ways that fit their specific needs and circumstances.
The meeting, with both in-person and online participants, was an excellent opportunity to reconnect, align our goals, and set a clear path forward for the next phase of the project. We are eager to move ahead with the pilot implementations and continue our mission of supporting vaccination programs across Europe.
Stay tuned for the public release of our implementation plans at the end of this month!
