My dream? All infectious diseases from the Netherlands
Thousands died a hundred years ago babies, children and adults in the Netherlands from infectious diseases. Fortunately, that no longer happens. But that didn’t come naturally. Clean drinking water, healthy food, hygiene and vaccinations form a preventive shield against pathogens. And that is still the case to this day. And because prevention works so well, we sometimes forget that the risks are still there. The corona pandemic pushed this fact under our noses.
We stood in line for the vaccinations. Me too. At that time I was not yet the director of GGD GHOR Nederland and if I speak for myself, I can only say that it was an experience: making an appointment online, a neat reminder the day before, friendly and knowledgeable people at the location and my QR code on my phone in record time. She did not do that en masse, but also very well at the GGD, I thought, and many people with me. And they could do this based on mandatory vaccination experience in the Dutch vaccination system†
We must be careful not to assume that everything will be fine. Don’t think: oh well, the National Vaccination Program and the flu shots are going well, aren’t they? Because when I look at the Dutch vaccination system, I see plenty of opportunities for improvement. The report of the Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) is a striking ‘patchwork quilt’. The various vaccinations for young and old, sick and healthy, are divided between GGD, youth health institutions, general practitioners, traveler vaccination clinics, etc. The expertise is spread over many parties instead of being well developed in one place. Many links must be continuously made to keep an overview of, among other things, the vaccination rate. For example, people in their region have to find where they can go for which vaccination and where information is distributed. This is how you miss opportunities† While we can combine services sensibly and efficiently.
The importance of the, of society is very clear: a reliable partner who starts with knowledge of the facts, and the government ensures that the necessary data about vaccinations are put in the right place. A committed implementer who is a threshold party for everyone in the Netherlands with questions or wishes with a low regard for vaccinations. A vaccination facility in the region. And that is the GGD.
And now I know that this announcement is viewed with suspicion: “are the GGDs now trying to get all vaccinations for themselves?” No, the point is that we get the best vaccination coverage and that the most vulnerable are vaccinated in particular. The party that can do the best has to do it. And I think that the GGDs have proven to be a very good partner for vaccination. It is important that one party has regional control.
Because to repeat it for everyone who vaccinates: it is not just a shot in the upper arm. It is not just about vaccinating, but also about informing and advising. From the individual with questions about the combination of a vaccination and its medicines, to the regional government that wants to boost vaccination coverage in the region and the national government that wants to know how vaccination can contribute even further to keeping the country healthy. And that is a very effective form of prevention to manage and eradicate infectious diseases.