April 29 (Reuters) – The European Union’s medicines regulator said on Wednesday it has set up a new advisory group that would advise the agency on issues related to vaccine hesitancy and boost its outreach initiatives.
Through its vaccine programme, the European Medicines Agency is working to help address public questions and false claims on vaccines, including on safety and effectiveness, which if unaddressed can fuel vaccine hesitancy, resulting in re-emergence of infectious diseases.
Here are some details on the new advisory group:
• The EMA said the panel comprising more than 20 high-level European and international experts would meet for the first time on Wednesday.
• EMA’s new advisory group consists of academics, healthcare professionals, representatives of medical societies, patient organisations and public health bodies, and will meet quarterly.
• The body will help advise on environmental analysis related to the status of vaccine hesitancy, initiatives to increase vaccine confidence and amplify its science outreach and public health messages.
• The group’s actions would include addressing public concerns, collaborating with healthcare professionals and health initiatives, and developing vaccine communications.
(Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru and Bhanvi Satija in London; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)