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Children to get measles vaccine earlier under new RIVM schedule

September 11, 2024
Child receiving vaccine. Photo: depositphotos

The vaccination schedule in the Netherlands is being changed to give children better protection against diseases such as whooping cough and measles before they start school.

The MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps and rubella, which is currently given to nine-year-olds will now be moved to the age of three.

The vaccines for four-year-olds, meanwhile, will now be given at the age of five. These protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

The polio booster for four-year-olds is being taken out of the programme, as infants already receive four injections in their first year.

The decision to bring forward the MMR jab was taken after doctors warned earlier this year that the risk of an outbreak was growing because of the low vaccination take-up.

The whooping cough vaccine is being delayed because the first round of jabs given in infancy protect children for longer.

Less than 85% of children born in 2020 were fully vaccinated by the age of two, according to figures published by the public health agency RIVM in June.

“We want primary school children to be protected for longer against whooping cough, because they might have younger brothers and sisters who could get seriously ill,” Jeanne-Marie Hament, manager of the RIVM’s vaccination programme, told AD.

Hament said the extra polio shot was being removed because the vaccines given in infancy offerd enough protection. “We give a lot of protection against polio, but as our knowledge develops we know that this is not necessary,” she said.

The RIVM said it would also run a catch-up campaign to ensure no children miss out on vaccines as a result of the changes to the schedule.

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