Promoted by: Active Citizenship Network (ACN) in the frame of the #VaccinAction2026 project

Hosted by: MEP Michalis Hadjipantela & the MEPs’ Interest Group “European Patients' Rights and Cross-border Healthcare”

Register here for in-person or online attendance

About the event

Respiratory infectious diseases—such as influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease—pose a major threat to public health across Europe, disproportionately impacting older adults and individuals with chronic conditions. Emerging clinical evidence and consensus statements highlight a critical link: respiratory infections significantly elevate the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

In this context, adult immunisation is increasingly recognized not only as a protection against infectious pathogens, but as a vital, active tool for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.

This high-level policy dialogue takes place at a decisive moment for European health policy:

• following the European Parliament’s adoption of its Own-Initiative Report (INI) on an EU Cardiovascular Diseases Strategy, and
• ahead of the European Commission’s discussion on the landmark Council Recommendations under the EU Safe Hearts Plan (focusing on standardized health checks and targeted vaccination for vulnerable populations).

Given the critical importance of this political momentum and the urgency of the topic, the annual EU Institutional Policy Dialogue Event planned within the #VaccinAction 2026 project will be entirely dedicated this year to the intersection of respiratory immunisation and cardiovascular prevention.

Draft programme overview

• Institutional welcome & introduction
• Keynote Address: The socio-economic value of adult vaccination
  • Presenting data-driven insights on healthcare savings, hospital admission reductions, and productivity gains.
• High-Level multi-stakeholder roundtable
  • Dialogue featuring representatives from the European Commission (DG SANTE), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the Steering Group on Prevention of Respiratory Infections, Vaccines Europe, and Patient Advocacy Groups.
• Conclusions & call to action
  • Symbolic signing of a Multi-Stakeholder Call to Action to ensure effective national application of EU health recommendations.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Date: Tuesday, 3 November 2026
• Time: Exact timing to be confirmed shortly
• Venue: European Parliament, Brussels (Room details to be confirmed shortly)
• Format: Hybrid (In-person attendance at the European Parliament & Live streaming)
• Language: English

REGISTER NOW

Participation is free, but registration is mandatory to secure access to the European Parliament.

• Register here to attend (Deadline for EP security access: 22 October 2026)

For further inquiries, please contact: Daniela Quaggia – Active Citizenship Network: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media partners

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