Vaccination coverage in the EU/EEA during autumn 2023 campaigns

An estimated 19.4 million individuals aged 60 and above from the EU/EEA received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between 1 September 2023 and 15 January 2024 according to a new report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).  

Interim COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the EU/EEA during fall 2023 campaigns shows that out of the total number of those vaccinated during the mentioned period, 5.5 million people were aged 80 and above.  

Among the 24 reporting countries, three countries reported vaccination coverage higher than 50% for the age group 60 years and older, while eight countries reported vaccination coverage higher than 50% for those 80 years and older.

Since the initiation of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in December 2020, ECDC has been collecting and presenting data on vaccine uptake in the EU/EEA through an interactive online dashboard and open data files.  

However, starting September 2023, in response to the evolving landscape of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, ECDC has adjusted its data collection methods to provide a description of vaccine coverage in the EU/EEA countries.

This report presents the interim vaccination coverage data during the autumn/winter season of 2023-24, focusing on doses administered to individuals targeted by vaccination programs, regardless of their previous immunisation status. Similar interim reports are planned to be issued quarterly.  

Vaccination efforts should continue to focus on protecting people at risk of progression to severe disease, e.g. people aged over 60 years and other vulnerable individuals irrespective of age (such as people with underlying comorbidities or the immunocompromised) and pregnant women.  

Additionally, healthcare workers should also be considered by public health authorities as a priority group for COVID-19 revaccination.  

National authorities in the EU/EEA make decisions on priority target populations and timing of vaccinations in their countries, based on factors such as the spread of infection, the impact of COVID-19 in different populations, and the emergence of new variants.  

The report highlights the diverse vaccination landscapes across EU/EEA countries, urging ongoing efforts to ensure comprehensive coverage in the target groups and address variations among different target groups.