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Official Journal of the European Union
EN
C series
C/2024/4259

28.6.2024

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
of 21 June 2024
on vaccine-preventable cancers C/2024/4259

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 1686 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee 1, Whereas:
1

Under Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union TFEU, a high level of human health protection is to be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. Union action, which is to complement national policies, is to be directed towards improving public health, preventing physical and mental illnesses and diseases, and obviating sources of danger to physical and mental health, including cancer.

2

Vaccination policies, programmes and services are the competence and responsibility of Member States. However, the Commission supports and coordinates national efforts due to the cross-border nature of vaccine-preventable diseases. It does this, amongst others, through communication efforts such as setting up the European Vaccination Information Portal, where people can find reliable information about vaccination and vaccines, and developing information and awareness-raising campaigns, such as the ongoing UnitedInProtection campaign, which is adaptable to national challenges and needs.

3

Some types of precancerous conditions and cancers caused by Human papillomaviruses HPV and Hepatitis B virus HBV, can be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination remains one of the most powerful and efficient public health measures at Member States disposal.

4

In Europes 2021 Beating Cancer Plan 2 the Cancer Plan, the Commission put forward the objective to fully vaccinate at least 90 % of the Union target population of girls against HPV and significantly increase the vaccination of boys against HPV by 2030. In addition, the Commission announced that it would help ensure access to vaccination against HBV in order to increase vaccination uptake.

5

Some Member States have population-based Immunisation Information Systems in place to monitor vaccination coverage rates in their country, including at subnational level. However, monitoring is fragmented in other Member States, and some of the countries report issues in collecting vaccination data as part of the monitoring of vaccination programmes in the context of implementing Regulation EU 2016/679 3, the Unions General Data Protection Regulation.

6

Some Member States have encountered issues in relation to the national procedures for obtaining the necessary parental or legal guardian consent to vaccinate minors, having a possible negative impact on the uptake.

7

Any processing of personal data by Member States for vaccination purposes should comply with EU data protection law, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation, with a focus on the provisions governing the processing of special categories of personal data within the meaning of Article 9 of the General Data Protection Regulation. This provision allows Member States to maintain or introduce further conditions, including limitations, with regard to the processing of genetic data, biometric data or data concerning health.

1
2

Opinion of 30.5.2024 not yet published in the Official Journal.
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Europes Beating Cancer Plan, COM
2021 44 final, 3.2.2021.
Regulation EU 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46/EC OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1.

3

ELI: http data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4259/oj
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