Measles vaccination is mandatory in German schools and daycare centers from March. The Federal Government wants to prevent a further increase in dangerous measles infections.
From 2014 to 2018, doctors reported 3,178 measles cases to the Robert Koch Institute as the federal authority for infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases. Although effective vaccination against measles viruses is available, the disease does not go extinct because many people consciously decide against vaccination or simply do not know about it.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 100 people died of measles in the European Region from January 2018 to June 2019 - against the background that vaccination could have prevented this, there is an enormous need for action here. By mid-November 2019, 503 measles cases and one death had been reported in Germany. Vaccination should now prevent further measles outbreaks.
Measles vaccination rate too low - measles protection law is introduced
Measles, as one of the most contagious infectious diseases in humans, can have serious consequences, especially in young children but also in adults. These include otitis media, pneumonia, diarrhea and life-threatening inflammation of the brain (encephalitis *) . Late effects such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which is usually fatal, have also been reported.
The best way to protect yourself and others from measles infection is by vaccination . However, vaccination rates are still too low, according to a press release from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Center for Health Education and the Robert Koch Institute. According to this, 97.1 percent of the school beginners received the first vaccination, but the vaccination rate for the second measles vaccination recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) for children aged 24 months was only 73.9 percent.
Read also : A measles vaccination would have saved this man the wheelchair .
Spahn: "Because those who vaccinate not only protect themselves, but also the community"
In order to increase the vaccination rate, the measles protection law was passed in the Bundestag and approved by the Federal Council on December 20, 2019. Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn said: "Despite all information campaigns, vaccination rates have not increased significantly in recent years. Therefore measles vaccination must become mandatory in kindergartens and schools . Because those who vaccinate not only protect themselves, but also the community. 95 Percent of the population must be vaccinated against measles so that this highly contagious viral disease can be eradicated. That is our goal. "
The legal obligation to vaccinate against measles is also intended to protect people who cannot protect themselves, such as pregnant women or people with an immune deficiency. These are dependent on others to show solidarity and to be vaccinated, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
The new law provides that day care centers, children's homes and schools will ensure from the beginning of March that all children and adolescents cared for, as well as all employees, teachers and educators, are vaccinated against measles. Two vaccinations are necessary to achieve the necessary protective effect .
More on the topic : Autism through MMR vaccination? Study comes to a clear conclusion .
Anyone who disregards measles vaccination is threatened with dismissal
However, many parents refuse to be vaccinated. In this case, the measles protection law provides for a fine or periodic penalty payment, but the wording in the law is rather vague, as the Spiegel reported. However, if daycare staff or teachers fail to comply with the vaccination obligation, they may be warned , given notice or even given extraordinary notice * .
Read more : You and your children urgently need these vaccinations.
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