Father’s Plea After Son’s Measles death: ”Vaccination Isn’t a Personal Choice”
Amsterdam – Following the death of his 28-year-old son, Max, from measles, Pascal is urgently calling for higher vaccination rates, framing the issue not as a matter of individual preference but as a collective moral responsibility. Max’s death underscores the growing danger posed by declining immunization coverage in the Netherlands, where the national measles vaccination rate has fallen to 89 percent, and in Amsterdam, where it stands at a concerning 83 percent.
These figures fall short of the 95 percent threshold recommended by the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Habitat (RIVM) to achieve herd immunity,leaving vulnerable populations-including cancer patients,the elderly,and those wiht compromised immune systems-at increased risk. “Every decrease [in vaccination rates] means more risk for the vulnerable,” Pascal stated, adding, “I think people should actually be vaccinated. Not only for Max, but to prevent other families from going through the same deep misery.”
Pascal’s message is direct: vaccination protects not only the individual but also those unable to be vaccinated themselves. He implores those hesitant about immunization to consider the perhaps fatal consequences of their decision. “Your choice can be the difference between life and death,” he urged.”Look at Max.His death was not a coincidence, but a break in our collective moral compass. Let’s make this never happening again.”
measles is highly contagious,and a recent video explains the dangers of the disease. (See accompanying video.)
