31st October 2025
October 2-3, 2025 | Lisbon, Portugal
The Cyprus University of Technology’s Behavioural Science in Health – BSiH Lab was proudly represented at two significant events in Lisbon, organised by the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health (MS-DGS), a key partner in the co-OPERATOR project.
October 2nd: Shaping the Future of Seasonal Vaccination
At the SPMS venue, BSiH Lab team members Dr. Athina Manoli and Dr. Angelos Kassianos participated in a comprehensive event focused on strengthening vaccination strategies across Europe. The event brought together leading researchers and public health experts to address key barriers and facilitators in seasonal vaccination uptake.
Highlights included:
Prof. Caterina Rizzo (University of Pisa, co-OPERATOR partner) presented “Good Practices in Vaccination: From Theory to Action,” sharing insights from extensive reviews on vaccination determinants, healthcare professional training, and evidence-based practices implemented across EU/EEA countries.
Dr. Timo Clemens (Maastricht University, co-OPERATOR partner) discussed policy lab findings, highlighting key facilitators and barriers to vaccination identified through recent collaborative research activities.
Behavioural Activation Strategies in Practice: Dr Athina Manoli facilitated interactive group labs alongside colleagues including Ana Justo (MS-DGS), Timo Clemens, and Soraia Costa (MS-DGS), exploring practical tools and strategies to enhance vaccination readiness among healthcare professionals and communities.
The event concluded with the completion of the COM-B Readiness to Promote Vaccination Questionnaire and a statement on strengthening vaccination strategies through behavioural activation and good practices.
October 3rd: Celebrating 60 Years of Portugal’s National Immunization Programme
The following day, at the prestigious Champalimaud Foundation auditorium, the MS-DGS celebrated the 60th anniversary of Portugal’s National Vaccination Programme (PNV), a milestone in public health excellence. Dr. Angelos Kassianos was honored as an invited speaker at the dedicated session on vaccine hesitancy, contributing expert insights on psychological and behavioural factors affecting vaccination confidence and acceptance.
The event featured high-level participation including the Portuguese Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, alongside leading academics and public health authorities. The programme included the public launch of the Blue Book on Immunization and roundtable discussions on innovation, strategy, and the future of vaccination in Portugal and beyond.
These events underscored the BSiH Lab’s commitment to international collaboration, evidence-based public health interventions, and addressing vaccine hesitancy through interdisciplinary research. The co-OPERATOR project continues to advance cross-country knowledge-sharing and innovative approaches to vaccination promotion across Europe.
Learn more about co-OPERATOR: cooperatorvax.eu
