Coalition Shaping the Vaccination Landscape

Abstract

In 2022, the National Program for Influenza Prevention coalition will have its 10th anniversary; it is one of Poland’s oldest educational initiatives. The National Program for Influenza Prevention was initiated to prevent a further decline and promote influenza prevention in the A(H1N1) post-pandemic years. In this review, we summarize the structure and operational model of the coalition and identify core functional elements that make it a key non-governmental organization involved in the prophylactics of communicable diseases. The coalition-based organization can operate in a complex environment, such as vaccinations requiring scientific, economic, social, and psychological involvement, and communications with different groups. Anchored to the history of the National Program for Influenza Prevention, we review Poland’s vaccination landscape changes from the last ten years.

The Role and Value of Professional Rapid Testing of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) in Europe: A Special Focus on the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania

“…Instead, countries seem to manage ARIs only through independent policies. All three countries currently have a National Program for Influenza and a National Policy for Respiratory Illnesses (which have started to integrate COVID-19 among their efforts) [ 55 , 84 , 86 , 88 ]. However, in some cases, such as Romania, these policies are only focused on surveillance and fail to address the core aspects of disease management [ 88 ].…”

“…As of 1 August 2023, the WHO continues to recommend the use of both molecular and antigen tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19, prioritizing the use of antigen tests in settings where molecular testing capacity is limited [ 90 ]. Antigen tests are the current preferred diagnostic method for COVID-19 in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania [ 86 , 98 , 99 , 198 ]. Recommendations on the use of diagnostic tests in an endemic scenario have shifted to prioritized groups.…”

“…Yes [192] Yes [192] Yes [193,194] Yes [55] Yes a [55] Czech Republic Yes [83] No [83] Yes [195] Yes [84] Yes [86] Poland Yes [85] No Yes [86] Partial b [86] Yes [86] Romania Yes [87] No Yes [196] Yes [88] Yes a [88] a specific for surveillance. b only for influenza and COVID-19.…”

Infectious diseases prophylaxis and treatment in cancer patients, with particular emphasis on COVID-19. Interdisciplinary Polish experts' position statement

“…In Poland, detailed data on vaccination rates in particular risk groups are lacking; thus, assessing cancer patients' vaccination willingness is difficult. Available data indicate that overall influenza vaccination coverage in Poland is low (around 5% each year in the general population and around 20% among people aged ≥65 years) [52]. The primary COVID-19 vaccination rate is about 60%, and the first and second booster doses were taken by 30% and 7.7% of Poles, respectively.…”