Almost 73,000 children in Poland did not receive compulsory vaccinations last year, up from just 3,437 in 2010. Growing “anti-vax” sentiment among parents is putting public health at risk, warn experts
Almost 73,000 children in Poland did not receive compulsory vaccinations last year, up from just 3,437 in 2010. Growing “anti-vax” sentiment among parents is putting public health at risk, warn experts
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In 2022, there were 72,722 cases of parents refusing vaccinations, reports NIZP-PZH, a state public health institute. That was up from 61,368 the previous year and from 30,090 in 2017. Back in 2010, the figure stood at just 3,437 but has risen every year since.
Parents who refuse compulsory vaccinations for their children can in theory be issued a fine of up to 10,000 zloty (€2,200) but in practice fines do not exceed a few hundred zloty.
Like many other countries, Poland has seen the rapid growth of its “anti-vax” movement in recent years. It was given further impetus during the pandemic when Covid vaccines were rapidly rolled out, prompting mass protests in Poland that were supported by the far right.
Only 57% of Poles are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Our World In Data, compared to 73% across the European Union as a whole. Poland’s figure is the third lowest among the 21 member states for which data is available.
[https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/04/26/refusals-of-compulsory-vaccines-for-children-double-in-poland-over-last-five-years/](https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/04/26/refusals-of-compulsory-vaccines-for-children-double-in-poland-over-last-five-years/)
What few years of widespread social media use do to 100 years of health education…
These are probably the same people that will die for the life of an embryo.
You can listen to experts with decades of research… or your crazy relative/neighbour/coworker on Facebook. Only one of those groups really has _your health_ rather than _their attention_ in mind, though.