Highlights from the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Health Agency

European Immunization Week 2012: April 21–27

The goal of Vaccination Week is to highlight the importance of vaccination as a key preventive measure against certain infectious diseases and to encourage the public to have their health or vaccination records checked. In each region, the regional health agencies (ARS) coordinate the Week in partnership with relevant stakeholders. This year, the focus is on vaccinating adolescents and young adults. Indeed, vaccination coverage is insufficient among this population, particularly in our region, especially for certain diseases such as measles, whose epidemic—which began in France in 2008—significantly affected adolescents and young adults. Other targeted diseases include rubella, pertussis, chickenpox, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus infections, and invasive meningococcal infections…To increase the impact of these initiatives on young people, the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Health Agency (ARS) has decided to give them a voice (radio spots produced by students and broadcast on various radio stations starting April 26, a video produced by students at the Toulouse School of Audiovisual Arts, a dedicated poster, and a badge).