Children to be compulsorily immunized for measles in Germany

Children in Germany will now have to take compulsory measles vaccination. The parliament in Germany has voted in majority and has made the measles vaccination as compulsory for the children. Parents who do not immunize their children with vaccines would have to face a fine of $2,750. The Bundestag has approved, The Measles Protection Act on November 14, 2019. According to the act, the parents will need to have an evidence that their child has received two vaccinations of measles before they begin kindergarten or school.

It is not just the children, but the act has mentioned that day care workers, medical staff and workers at the community facility have to be also vaccinated and this is due to effect in March 2020. Measles is highly infectious and has the ability to spread through air in case an infected person is in the vicinity and is coughing or sneezing. The disease can also be spread by the medium of touching some contaminated surfaces. People who are vulnerable should be aware of the symtoms that include, cough, fever, runny nose, watery eyes and red spots on the skin that look like rashes.

The country had registered about 501 measles between the months January to mid October 2019. The new rule says that the parents will have to present a certificate to the school or the educational institution that has a mention that the child has received both the vaccinations. But parents who do not immunize their children will have to pay a fine of €2,500. Even the day care centres need to be careful as they will also be fined if they admit children who are not immunized.

The scare for the disease has bothered people across the globe. In 2018, more than 350,000 measles cases were reported, which more than doubled when compared to 2017. There are two doses to be protected by measles.

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