SPLS participa em workshop europeu VaccinAction2025 em Bruxelas
A Presidente da SPLS, Professora Doutora Cristina Vaz de Almeida, participou, no dia 2 de outubro de 2025, no workshop internacional VaccinAction2025, no Thon Hotel City Centre, entre as 14h30 e as 18h45, em Bruxelas. A iniciativa foi organizada pela Cittadinanza Attiva, parceira da SPLS.
Dirigido a líderes de organizações de doentes e associações cívicas, o encontro inseriu-se no âmbito do projeto europeu VaccinAction2025 e teve como foco a relação entre vacinação e gestão das doenças crónicas, com especial atenção às doenças cardiovasculares.
O evento reuniu especialistas internacionais, profissionais de saúde, académicos, decisores políticos e organizações da sociedade civil, promovendo a partilha de experiências nacionais, boas práticas e estratégias inovadoras.
A iniciativa procurou reforçar a vacinação como pilar central da saúde preventiva, particularmente relevante para adultos e pessoas que vivem com doenças crónicas, contribuindo para reduzir o impacto das doenças não transmissíveis (NCDs) e promover comunidades mais saudáveis.
Vaccination is a human right and it saves lives. Public policies must make vaccination a priority. We must increase awareness and strengthen the call to action from local to global levels.
Today, October 3rd, marks the 60th anniversary of vaccination in Portugal. Portugal is among the most trusted countries in Europe when it comes to population vaccination. The event programme can be followed here: https://lnkd.in/dfF_wxCY.
Wise words from Dra. Graça Freitas: https://lnkd.in/dnDtj9sc.
We need to strengthen the culture of vaccination and reinforce the coalitions that support it. Thank you to Mariano Votta and Daniela Quaggia from Active Citizenship Network for the invitation to join this international group with representatives from more than nine countries, to debate and build a European Culture of Vaccination within the EU.
Every year, around 14 million people die due to pollution and respiratory diseases, among others, including cardiovascular diseases.
Professora Doutora Cristina Vaz de Almeida
Vaccination. Active citizens advocate for vaccination across Europe. Brussels, October 2–3, 2025.
A meeting organized in Brussels by Active Citizenship Network – Cittadinanzattiva APS, led by President Mariano Votta, with the participation of the Portuguese Health Literacy Society (Sociedade Portuguesa de Literacia em Saúde), represented by Professor Dr. Cristina Vaz de Almeida, along with more than 20 associations and scientific societies.
Two very fruitful days of dialogue and reflection, connecting adult immunization and non-communicable diseases; discussing the role of vaccination in the fight against cardiovascular disease (CVD); engaging in policy and advocacy sessions from local to global levels; and preparing the Vaccination 2025 European social media campaign.
Special thanks to Daniela Quaggia for her coordination and dedication: https://lnkd.in/dKBn58sD
In Portugal, the Portuguese Health Literacy Society has done significant work to raise awareness about vaccination, with the contribution of renowned experts. One example is the digital programme “Com a Saúde Não Se Brinca” (We Do Not Play with Health).
Professora Doutora Cristina Vaz de Almeida
Today in Brussels associations are once again at the center of the conversation. Together with their leaders, we worked on vaccines within the EU project hashtagVaccinAction2025.
Their direct experience and grassroots connection make them key partners in linking vaccination to the management of chronic conditions, with a strong focus on cardiovascular diseases.
A special thank you to all the associations that actively co-created communication content and are now amplifying these messages across Europe.
Because only through their voices we can truly build healthier and more resilient communities.
Programa
Moderator: Daniela Quaggia, Senior Project Manager, ACN
- 14:30 – Welcome and Introduction
Mariano Votta, Director, ACN - Session A (14:45 – 15:30) – Science & health
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Weinke (Germany): Linking Adult Immunization and Non-Communicable Diseases
- Dr. Marco Del Riccio (Italy): The Role of Vaccination in the Fight Against Cardiovascular Diseases
- 15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
- Session B (16:00 – 16:45) – Policy & Advocacy from local to global
- Patrycja Rzucidło (Poland): Alliance “Poland Breathes Healthily”
- Elena Chiorean (Romania): Bridging the Confidence Gap: Empowering CEE Communities for Vaccination
- Michael Hodin (Global Coalition on Aging): The Healthy Aging Difference: A Call to Action
- 16:45 – 17:45 – #VaccinAction2025 Social Media EU Campaign
Mita Dhullipala, MD Health team - 17:45 – 18:05 – Next Steps
- Follow-up events, handbook, and campaign updates
- 19:30 – Social Dinner
Practical Information
- 12:30: Light lunch before the event
- Working language: English
