Vaccination rate must also increase in Haarlem: “Extra contact moments can help”

The vaccination rate is also declining in the municipality of Haarlem. With 88.3 percent, Haarlem scores below the WHO limit of 90 percent. The municipality is considering measures.

“Unfortunately, this decline is part of a broader trend, which is not limited to Haarlem,” responds councilor Bas van Leeuwen. “A possible cause of the declining vaccination rate is that young parents have started to think less positively about vaccinations. A RIVM poll from 2022 compared to a 2013 poll shows this.”

Red hot

The vaccination program in our region is provided by Youth Healthcare Kennemerland (JGK), with which the municipality is now in discussions. The phone was ringing off the hook at JGK last week, says youth doctor Lucy Smit. “The most frequently asked question came from parents who already vaccinate; whether their child can receive the vaccination against measles or whooping cough, for example, earlier.” According to Smit, the reason why the vaccination rate has dropped may also have another cause: “People are no longer familiar with diseases such as measles and whooping cough. Now that the disease is reappearing, they think: it is there after all. It is possible that the vaccination rate will increase as a result.”

Education

Additional injection locations or other practical solutions will not lower the vaccination threshold, Smit thinks. “We are already very flexible in making appointments and organize evening consultation hours. Extra contact moments can help.” JGK professionals can see whether all children are missing a vaccination and discuss this with parents. “We see it as our medical responsibility to properly inform people about the currently changing circumstances.”

The group of doubters has increased considerably in the past five to ten years, Smit knows. “These parents often have genuine concerns and want to do the best for their child. Having an additional conversation with them can help. It takes a lot of time to reach this group. But ultimately it remains their choice whether or not to vaccinate.”