South-East Brabant’s GGD has started vaccination rounds for MMR-DTP and cervical cancer in the Eindhoven region.
The RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) sent out letters to all 9-year-old children and all girls from the age of 12. They should have started receiving these from Monday, 13 May.
All children who turn nine this year will receive an invitation for the vaccinations against mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) as well as diphtheria, tetanus, and polio (DTP). These booster vaccinations were previously done in infancy. According to the GGD, a second MMR inoculation is necessary.
The first dose may have been unsuccessful in approximately five per cent of children. The MMR booster should protect this group of children. Protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio diminishes over the years; therefore, the repetition of that vaccination is also necessary.
Herd Immunity
Vaccinations not only protect the child who receives them. They also contribute to herd immunity. Higher numbers of vaccinated children can stop the spread of disease. In this way, the vaccine protects even unprotected children against disease. But that is only possible if the vaccination rate is high. Diseases can spread to unprotected children if the vaccination rate is not high enough.
Vaccination against cervical cancer, known as the HPV vaccination, is a regular part of the Dutch national vaccination programme. In the year they turn 13, girls receive an invitation for this vaccination. The shot is still available to older girls who received the invitation earlier but were not vaccinated. This is free up to the age of 18.
Source: Studio040
Translator: Nicole Cullinan
Editor: Melinda Walraven
