DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 20 April 2026
Joint statement by Commission, WHO Regional Office for Europe, and UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, celebrating the progress vaccination has made to protect public health for the past two decades
This statement was signed by Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, and UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Regina De Dominicis
As the 20th European Immunisation Week kicks off today, we celebrate the incredible progress vaccination has made to protect people's health over the past two decades and call for bold leadership and enhanced commitment to sustain this progress in the years to come.
In 2007, European Immunisation Week was rolled out across 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia to increase awareness of the need and right for every child to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Since then, the annual week has ensured many people across the WHO European Region are informed and protected, while national immunisation programmes have also improved public health.
Across the world, vaccination has saved an estimated 154 million lives since 1974. In the European region, high vaccination coverage has dramatically reduced the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, the WHO European Region has successfully remained free of endemic polio since 2002, has nearly achieved regional elimination of measles and rubella, and has also seen dramatic decreases in reported cases of many diseases. From 2000 to 2024, cases of rubella decreased by over 99%, diphtheria by 90% and mumps by 95%. Many countries have also expanded immunisation to protect children against other life-threatening diseases including meningitis, pneumonia and rotavirus. Almost all countries in the region include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in their immunisation schedules to prevent cervical and other forms of cancer. Furthermore, pregnant women can now be protected against diseases like pertussis, influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), helping to keep them, and their newborns, safe and healthy.
Yet immunisation rates in some countries are declining, while the number of countries experiencing large and disruptive outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases is increasing. In 2024, more than 298,000 cases of pertussis were reported in the WHO European Region, the highest number ever recorded. In the same year, measles cases surpassed 127,000 – the highest number in 27 years.
Some of this can be attributed to lack of awareness, misinformation, and distrust in vaccines or health authorities. However, these outbreaks also reveal uneven immunisation coverage and weaknesses in immunisation programmes and primary health care systems. At the same time, investments in immunisation programmes are important in order to maintain the gains and sustainability of current efforts.
Europe cannot afford to move backwards. It is imperative to reinforce national and regional immunisation programmes and to accelerate global coordinated actions. To this end, the European Commission has already dedicated considerable resources to supporting immunisation efforts both within the European Union and globally.
UNICEF, WHO and the European Commission will also continue to work together, and with all partners, to overcome today's serious challenges to immunisation. Together we want to champion children's health and serve marginalised communities that lack equitable access to vaccines. Our message is simple and clear: vaccines work, they save lives, and they protect our communities.
For more information
European Immunisation Week 2026
World Immunisation Week 2026
WHO Immunisation Data portal - All Data
Vaccination - Public Health
Immunisation: Life-saving and life-enhancing. UNICEF Europe and Central Asia
Commission approves €411 million Croatian capital injection into development bank HBOR
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €411 million capital injection by Croatia's government into the national development bank Hrvatska Banka za Obnovu i Razvitak ('HBOR'). The measure will be funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility ('RRF') and will expand HBOR's remit to support Croatia's sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.
The Croatian measure
Croatia notified the Commission of its plans to grant a €411 million capital injection into HBOR, which will use these funds to support SMEs, renewable energy projects and infrastructure development. In line with its expanded remit, HBOR will prioritise investments in initiatives that drive digital transformation, promote eco-friendly technologies, enhance regional connectivity, and develop the defence industry. The measure aims at strengthening innovation, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.
The public funding will be provided through the RRF following the Commission's positive assessment of the Croatian Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by the Council.
The Commission's assessment
The Commission assessed the Croatian measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU ('TFEU'), which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions.
In particular, the Commission found that:
On this basis, the Commission approved the Croatian measure under EU State aid rules.
Background
According to Article 107(1) TFEU, a measure shall constitute State aid if the following four cumulative conditions are met: (i) the measure has to be granted by Member States through State resources, (ii) the measure has to confer a selective economic advantage to certain companies, (iii) the advantage has to distort or threaten to distort competition, and (iv) the measure has to affect trade between EU Member States.
All investments and reforms entailing State aid included in the national recovery plans presented in the context of the RRF must be notified to the Commission for prior approval, unless covered by one of the State aid block exemption rules.
The Commission assesses measures entailing State aid contained in the national recovery plans presented in the context of the RRF as a matter of priority and has provided guidance and support to Member States in the preparatory phases of the national plans, to facilitate the rapid deployment of the RRF. At the same time, the Commission makes sure in its decision that the applicable State aid rules are complied with, in order to preserve the level playing field in the Single Market and ensure that the RRF funds are used in a way that minimises competition distortions and do not crowd out private investment.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.121107 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.
Commission statement on technical meetings with the incoming Hungarian Government
On 17 and 18 April, a European Commission high-level delegation held technical meetings in Budapest with senior representatives from the incoming Hungarian Government.
This was organised following contacts between President von der Leyen and Prime Minister-Designate Peter Magyar, and commitment on both sides to start work on various urgent topics.
The meetings were an early opportunity for practical discussions on how to move forward and make real progress to unlock EU funds earmarked for Hungary, that are frozen due to corruption and rule of law concerns. This necessary work will continue.