Will vaccination become mandatory? Hundreds of children are denied kindergarten spots because they are unvaccinated

Hundreds of children in Dalmatian cities are facing exclusion from kindergarten enrollment because they lack the required vaccinations, a situation that has prompted concern among health and education authorities. In Split alone, 208 out of 831 children were rejected during the first enrollment period for not having vaccination certificates, despite no underlying medical justifications.

This number represents a significant increase, with unvaccinated children making up 60% of those denied admission in the first round. Their applications constituted 13% of all submitted requests, a figure that has doubled compared to the previous year. This trend suggests a growing hesitancy among parents regarding childhood vaccinations.

The article draws a stark contrast with historical data from Dalmatia, where scientists, referencing state and church records, indicate that one in three to four newborns died before their first birthday, and nearly half of all children did not reach adulthood. These high mortality rates, prevalent until about a century ago, were attributed to a combination of factors including malnutrition, impure water, poor hygiene, and recurring epidemics.

Despite these historical lessons and the established scientific consensus on the safety and efficacy of vaccines, a segment of parents appears to be opting out of routine immunizations. This decision not only risks the health of their own children by exposing them to preventable diseases but also potentially compromises the herd immunity that protects the wider community, especially vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated.

The government's current silence on the matter is noted, with the article suggesting that politicians often delay action, hoping issues resolve themselves. However, the rising number of unvaccinated children being denied essential services like kindergarten points to a growing public health challenge that may require state intervention.