At 16, Dutch teenagers can decide on health issues, although their decisions are contrary to those of their parents. The doctors of that country have decided to consult them if they want to receive the missing vaccines of the official calendar.
With this measure pediatricians pretend end the decline in vaccination coverage in her country, as explained by the president of the Association of Youth Physicians (AJN), Mascha Kamphuis, on the television program De monitor.
An interesting measure (although also controversial) that could be extrapolated to other countries, although in Spain it is difficult because minors need the authorization of their parents in everything related to their health.
Why is this measure necessary?
- Low vaccination rates
Earlier this year, an investigation by the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM) showed that in 2017, for the fourth consecutive year, there were more parents who decided not to vaccinate their children (one percent less than the previous year ).
And from their official vaccination website they warn that the decrease in vaccination coverage increases the risk of disease outbreaks such as measles. The vaccination rate against HPV (the virus that can cause cervical cancer), contemplated in the Netherlands National Immunization Program, is also very low. Only half of the girls were vaccinated.
In Babies and more Vaccines are also essential in adolescence: what they are and when they are administered- Freedom of choice
Participation in the National Vaccination Program is voluntary in the Netherlands and it is up to the parents to decide whether or not to vaccinate their children.
Hence, now pediatricians want to address adolescents with the ability to decide. The Secretary of State for Public Health, Paul Blokhuis, explained in De monitor, that the initiative is based on:
"The rights of the child and we put it first. Because, what does he think? He never had a choice."
Kamphuis emphasizes not wanting to create a confrontation between children and their parents, "who apparently once decided not to vaccinate their children."
But if a teenager thinks differently from their parents, "We can advise everyone and mediate between them".
How will the measure be carried out?
The Association of Youth Physicians, who work in schools and health centers, know who is vaccinated and who is not, or who is not fully vaccinated. They will be in charge of contacting minors.
They will send a letter to adolescents over 16 years of age who have not covered the entire official vaccination schedule, to inform them of their right to immunize and the advantages of doing so. The question is how to maintain the privacy of children, since they may have problems at home if they ask for a vaccine that their parents refuse.
If this letter is unsuccessful, the president of the Association of Youth Physicians, Mascha Kamphuis, talks about a public recruitment campaign, open consultation hours and additional information in schools.
Immunization problems throughout Europe
Outbreaks of infectious diseases in children because they are not vaccinated occur throughout Europe. Cases of fatal consequences also occur in Spain.
And doctors have the same problem: convincing parents that a measles or chickenpox can be very serious, and that universal immunization is the only way to protect the health of our children.
In Babies and more Handbook of Vaccines for Parents: proven, scientific and truthful information on vaccines Some countries, including the Netherlands, to increase vaccination rates and avoid infectious outbreaks that are avoided with a single puncture, have resorted to establishing that only vaccinated children can access nursery schools.
In Spain our vaccination figures are higher, as recognized by the World Health Organization, but there is still to make immunization universal.
What's more: a report from the WHO European office has concluded that anti-vaccine movements they are one of the main health risks for Europeans.
Photos | iStock
