Repairing the damage someone’s intentionally bad actions have created is a process that can last for years or even decades and, if the focus of the issue is on public health, it creates a doubt that may never go away. General practitioners in Amsterdam and around the world are constantly dealing with consequences and prejudice as a result of unprofessionalism of medial workers who potentially endangered enormous groups of people by promoting their, now proved, fraudulent opinions on vaccination practice.
One article in 1998 almost changed the whole course of global healthcare and treatment of patients. What initially seemed as a research and scientific study against vaccination for measles and its harmfulness, turned into an ongoing global debate which, unfortunately, did not come without its victims.
Is Healthcare In Danger?
It all began when Andrew Wakefield, former medical researcher and gastroenterologist, published a paper in support of the now-discredited claim that there was a link between the administration of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the appearance of autism and bowel disease. Even though the accusation were later proven to be false and involved, a part from breaking the ethical code, a number of other misconducts and conflicts of interest, suddenly, what was until that moment perceived as a “no-brainer”, became a worldwide discussion and concern. The anti-vaccination controversy created outburst amongst parents worried about their children’s safety on one hand and on another, a strong reaction from scientific and healthcare community, strongly opposing what was by some regarded as a “medical revolution”. Additionally, as it usually goes with any kind of global topic – celebrity culture had its own stance on it, often taking side of the anti-vaccination propaganda which proved to be extremely harmful. Even though the epidemic is nowadays rare and its appearance is regarded as isolated examples, the controversy still took its toll and, in some cases, forever embedded doubt.
However, no matter where you stand on this vaccination issue, the facts tell a very undeniable story – as Jason McDonald from the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health center says – if you are unvaccinated and you come in contact with measles, there’s a 90% chance you will get it.
What’s the Patient Care in the Netherlands?
In May 2013, the Netherlands have been faced with a measles epidemic that lasted until March 2014 in municipalities with low vaccine coverage against measles. During this period, over 2600 patients with measles were reported although, since not all cases had visited their family doctors, it is believed that the actual number was much higher. The epidemic resulted in 182 hospitalised children, while one child died from complications of measles.
Thankfully, most parents in the Netherlands (over 95%) have their children vaccinated – for the first time around the ages of 0 and 4, and after they reach the age of 9, the procedure is being repeated for DTP and MMR (or in Dutch BMR). All vaccinations are free of charge and, if you are computer equipped, you can book your online medical appointment for all the further info.