Germany to Require Measles Vaccination in 2020

According to news reports, German lawmakers approved the Measles Protection Act, which makes it mandatory for certain people to be vaccinated against the measles virus.

These reports published on November 14, 2019, say ‘as of March 2020, qualifying parents will have to prove their child was vaccinated against measles before sending them to daycare or school.’

The Measles Protection Act also applies to kindergarten and elementary teachers, asylum seekers and refugees in public housing, as well as employees working there.

Non-compliant parents and schools could face potential fines of up to US $2,749, while younger children could face a ban from daycare facilities.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus. Measles is a disease that spreads from person to person by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. People can spread measles up to 4 days before and 4 days after they have a rash. 

In Germany, the Standing Vaccination Committee at the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) issues recommendations on vaccination to prevent the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases.

Vaccinations recommended by the STIKO are available to all German citizens free of charge and provide effective protection against infectious disease.

A report by the Robert Koch Institute, however, found that only 93 percent of German children starting school had received both the first and the second measles vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 95 percent vaccination coverage is required for a country to prevent a mass outbreak.

Recently, the WHO said there were nearly 90,000 cases of measles in 48 European countries in the first 6 months of 2019. This data indicates almost double the number of measles cases reported for all of 2018.

To notify all international travelers, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a worldwide measles virus Travel Alert in June 2019.

Recent measles outbreak news

• No Country Is Fully Prepared for Epidemics or Pandemics
• Measles Outbreak Reported Near London

The WHO reports the countries of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Russia — accounted for about 75 percent of all measles cases in Europe in the first half of 2019, with Ukraine the majority leader.

Furthermore, based on 2018 data, Albania, Britain, the Czech Republic, and Greece lost their "measles-free" status with the WHO.

The USA  was able to retain its measles-free status with the WHO in October 2019. 

And, states such as New York passed new laws in 2019 to increase measles vaccination rates. New York was attributed by the CDC as the leading source for the recent measles outbreak in the USA.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn, who proposed the Measles Protection Act, said measles are “too often underestimated” and endanger children who are unable to protect themselves.

But, this new law may not be able to prevent further measles outbreaks.

Of the 498 cases of measles reported in the first 10 months of 2019, many cases were among 20- to 24-year-old German residents.

"All children should be vaccinated against measles because that protects their lives," said Hans-Iko Huppertz, board member of the German Society for Paediatrics and Youth, reported the German Press Agency.

"The disease is severe and can be prevented with a completely harmless measure, "said Huppertz, who is also Secretary-General of the German Academy of Paediatrics and Youth.

"All possibilities of conviction should continue to be exploited. It also includes calling doctors who advise against vaccinations to accountability.”

During October 2019, a news study reported measles infections in children can eliminate the immune system’s memory to fight off other illnesses.

This is important news since these studies are the first to show definitive evidence that a measles virus infection can destroy important immune cells that ‘remember’ previous encounters with specific bacteria.

This means an immune system reduction can leave about 40 percent of children who recover from measles infection are vulnerable to other pathogens that they might have been protected from, before their bout with measles.

Secretary-General Huppertz concluded saying ‘the measles vaccination in Germany is only available as a triple — and sometimes quadruple shot, which creates incremental concerns. The mandatory measles vaccination will also indirectly make immunization against mumps and rubella and in some cases chickenpox obligatory.’

CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D., recently said “The CDC encourages Americans to embrace vaccination with confidence for themselves and their families. The prevalence of measles is a global challenge, and the best way to stop this and other vaccine-preventable diseases from gaining a foothold in the U.S. is to accept vaccines.”

To notify all international travelers, the CDC issued a worldwide measles virus Travel Alert in June 2019.

This CDC travel alert says ‘before you travel internationally, regardless of where you are going, make sure you are protected fully against measles. If you are not sure, see your healthcare provider at least 1-month before your scheduled departure.’

The CDC says measles can be prevented with 2-doses of the MMR-II vaccine. 

And, children have the option of getting the Proquad vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.

Measles news is published by Precision Vaccinations