REGION – It is ultimately the parents’ responsibility whether they want to vaccinate their children against diseases such as whooping cough and measles. This position of the municipalities of Druten and Wijchen is widely shared in the Nijmegen region. This is evident from a tour of municipalities in the region by regional broadcaster RN7.
There is a declining vaccination rate throughout the Netherlands and the region around Nijmegen cannot escape this either. Yet the municipalities in the region see no point in coercion at all. This also applies to the national government.
More vaccination is desirable
In the Gelderland-Zuid region, almost 84 percent of children at the age of 2 will have received all the vaccinations required for that age by 2022. That is a significant decrease compared to the two previous years, when the vaccination rate was approximately 89 percent.
A high vaccination rate protects people against serious diseases and prevents outbreaks of diseases such as whooping cough and mumps, says the RIVM, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. That is why, according to the Municipal Health Service (GGD), it is desirable that more people opt for vaccination.
Accessible and approachable
The municipalities mainly focus on providing good information to parents. West Maas en Waal believes that group information about such a sensitive subject is not always effective. The child health clinic in that municipality therefore always tries to talk 1-on-1 with parents about vaccination.
The municipality of Overbetuwe emphasizes making vaccination accessible and accessible. This is done in consultation with youth health care. Good information is important, and this must be broader than just daycare centers and a limited age group. In addition, partners, such as education and midwifery practices, must be clearly informed.
Information campaign
In Beuningen, the GGD – which implements local health policy – has taken several measures to combat the decline in vaccinations. More times have been scheduled for group vaccination. The GGD is also creating additional options for residents who still want to be vaccinated.
The importance of vaccination is emphasized during contact moments with schools, childcare and parents. The GGD is conducting an information campaign on behalf of the regional municipalities. This is done, among other things, via the website, parent chat and telephone information lines of the GGD.
Tags: Municipalities Nijmegen region Information vaccinations coercion
