Vaccination coverage in Europe is high in both historical and comparative perspectives. Based on available data, coverage for all antigens recommended for routine immunization by the World Health Organization (WHO) has increased or remained at high levels over the last one to two decades. For most of these vaccines, Europe is at or near the top of the list for coverage in comparison with other geopolitical regions of the world.
Although there are myriad causes of morbidity and mortality, it is not a coincidence that vaccine coverage is high in Europe and life expectancy is also long. In fact, life expectancy at birth in Europe has increased five years since 2000 and is higher than in any other WHO region. Europe’s high life expectancy is due in part to having the world’s lowest mortality rate for children under the age of five to which pediatric vaccination indisputably contributes and is further bolstered by high longevity for adults who have reached the older ages to which adult vaccination contributes.
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