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Next year, about 650,000 children will be vaccinated against the very serious meningococcal disease. It concerns children born after 1 January 2001 and before May 2004. State Secretary Paul Blokhuis (VWS) said in a letter to the House of Representatives. The reason for this measure is that in recent years there has been an increase in the number of people contracting the type of meningococcal infection. With this supplementary vaccination cycle, this growth must be curbed. The additional program adds to the already planned meningococcal vaccination of children born after April 30, 2004. Since October 2018, all 14-year-olds have been offered vaccination.
Gravity of the disease
The disease is caused by the disease. Meningococcal bacteria transferable from one human being to the other. An infection can lead to meningitis or blood poisoning, causing the death of the infected person. Since 2002, children aged 14 months have been vaccinated against type C disease. From May of this year, types A, W and Y were added
Increased incidence of infections
In recent years, the number of infections has increased with type W In 2017, this type of disease was still on average six times a month, which increased in 2018 to an average of ten times a month. The RIVM expects that if nothing more is done, the increase will continue.
"Provide as much protection as possible"
"The likelihood of contracting W-type meningococcal disease is very low despite growth, but worse we must intervene," said Secretary of State Paul Blokhuis VWS. "It's a terrible and destructive disease. That's why we must do everything to provide people with the greatest possible protection. "
The goal is to offer vaccination every 14 to 18 years at the end of 2019.
Immunization against rotavirus
a vaccination against rotavirus is added to the national program Only physically vulnerable young children are vaccinated with drops in their mouths as early as six weeks of age, for example, children born prematurely, with low birth weight or with a congenital defect. They have the greatest interest in a vaccination against the virus that can cause inflammation of the stomach or intestines, which can lead to serious health problems.
The intention is that the first Children will be vaccinated next year.Secretary Blokhuis will see after two years that it makes sense to offer vaccination to all children.
Maternal vaccination against whooping cough [19659009] The secret silencing of & # 39; State Blokhuis has also taken a decision regarding the vaccination of pregnant women against whooping cough. He decided that health care for young people can better accomplish this task.
"Youth health professionals are already familiar with the national immunization program and are used to providing information on and responding to immunizations, and for pregnant women who are expecting their first child health for young people are usually new, but for pregnant women who are expecting a next child, health care for young people are known, especially as a place of vaccination, "says Blokhuis. so that the infant is protected from whooping cough from birth The parties concerned intend to start offering this vaccination to all pregnant women next year.
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