The European Lung Health Group (ELHG) has published a new position paper calling on the European Union to strengthen its response to respiratory infections through better vaccination policies, earlier detection and a coordinated approach to lung health.
Respiratory infections remain the third most common cause of death in Europe, according to Eurostat, placing a considerable burden on patients, healthcare systems and economies. Seasonal influenza alone causes up to 50 million symptomatic infections and between 15,000 and 70,000 deaths annually across the EU/EEA. Despite progress in European health policy, action remains fragmented and vaccination coverage is still insufficient.
In its new position paper, Translating global and EU targets into stronger EU action on respiratory infections, the ELHG outlines four priorities for EU action:
- Implement the 2025 World Health Assembly resolution on lung health, translating international commitments on prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and care into concrete action at European and national levels.
- Expand the 2009 Council Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination to cover other respiratory infections, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal disease and pertussis. According to Eurostat, only 47.1% of EU adults aged 65 and over received influenza vaccination in 2023, well below the EU’s 75% target.
- Strengthen early detection of respiratory diseases by ensuring lung function tests remain part of the proposed Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks, supporting the objectives of the EU Safe Hearts Plan.
- Develop a European Lung Health Plan to bring together EU action on prevention, vaccination, early diagnosis, access to treatment, rehabilitation, research, air quality and tobacco and nicotine control. The ELHG has also published an infographic explaining why Europe needs a dedicated Lung Health Plan.
The position paper builds on the ELHG’s ongoing #KeepBreathing campaign, which advocates for a more integrated approach to lung health and greater political attention to respiratory diseases, with the ultimate goal of a European Lung Health Plan.
The ELHG encourages patients, healthcare professionals and civil society organisations to use its advocacy resources, including a patient explainer video on the World Health Assembly resolution, to engage policymakers and support national action.
Europe already has the evidence and international commitments to act. The next step is turning them into coordinated EU policies that better protect respiratory health throughout life.
Read the full position paper: Translating global and EU targets into stronger EU action on respiratory infections (30 October 2026).