Title: The Hague’s Child Vaccination Rate Plummets, Sparking Urgent Local and National Action
In The Hague, the child vaccination rate is in a steep decline, leading to a critical situation in various districts. Alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer, responsible for health, has reported that the vaccination rate in multiple neighborhoods has fallen to worryingly low levels, with the Centrum district lagging the most. In the Groente- en Fruitmarkt neighborhood, less than 45 percent of children have been fully vaccinated, while Transvaal and Schilderswijk have also seen significant drops.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a vaccination rate of around 90 percent is required for effective protection against infectious disease outbreaks. The Escamp and Laak districts are also far from meeting this target.
Alderman Bredemeijer expressed concern over the falling vaccination rates, stating that children in The Hague and other major cities are at great risk of contracting serious infectious diseases. To address the issue, the municipality is collaborating with midwives to inform pregnant women about vaccines and offer on-site vaccination at midwifery practices. A vaccination team will also visit a secondary school in the Transvaal district to provide students with the opportunity to get vaccinated.
However, Bredemeijer believes that these measures are merely local solutions to a national problem. He has urged the national government to take action, emphasizing the need for support and assistance for municipalities to protect children against infectious diseases. The alderman asserts that the Cabinet must recognize the urgency of the situation and take immediate action to address the crisis.
The vaccination rate among pregnant women before giving birth to protect their unborn child from diseases like whooping cough is also declining. This further highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in protecting public health.
With the vaccination rates falling short of WHO-recommended levels, the situation in The Hague and other major cities poses a significant risk to child health. Urgent action is needed from both local and national authorities to ensure that children are protected against infectious diseases and to restore public confidence in vaccination programs.
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