Japan Press Weekly

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2013 March 6 - 12 [WELFARE]

Residents push city to fund children’s vaccinations

Pushed by residents, Fuefuki City will become the first municipality in Yamanashi Prefecture to start subsidizing children’s vaccinations against rotavirus, chickenpox, and mumps in April.

Initiated by local pediatricians, residents launched their campaign last year to call on the city government to provide the financial support for children’s healthcare.

Two representatives of the Japanese Communist Party made the initial proposal for a subsidy system at a city assembly meeting in September and included it as their pledge in the city assembly members’ election in October.

In December, the local assembly unanimously adopted a petition submitted by residents.

Pediatrician Uto Chieko, who initiated the campaign, said that since parents previously had to cover the entire payment of about 45,000 yen, only 20 to 30% of children received the vaccinations.

“The vaccinations are necessary for children because infants’ rotavirus gastroenteritis can develop severer symptoms, and mumps has a risk of causing hearing disorders,” said Uto, who went on to say that the subsidy system will enable her to encourage parents to get the vaccinations for their children.

JCP City Assembly member Kameyama Kazuko stated that she wants to continue the campaign by calling on the local administration to increase the amount of the subsidies.