According to the criticism of the World Health Organization (WHO) against vaccination opponents comes from the SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach a new push for vaccination in Germany. "I myself advocate for a dangerous disease such as measles vaccination," Lauterbach told the newspaper "The World" on Monday. He will promote a new discussion on the need for a vaccination with Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU), "because the previous campaigns for a voluntary vaccine have proved to be insufficient".
The WHO has declared vaccinates one of the top 10 global threats. The reason: The medically possible eradication of measles is prevented by the widespread in industrialized countries refusing vaccinations. From the point of view of the WHO experts, vaccine opponents pose a similarly great risk to global health as Ebola, antibiotic resistance and air pollution. According to the WHO, vaccinations prevent between two and three million deaths each year.
Significant increase in measles cases in Europe
Actually, the measles should be eradicated by 2020. In recent years, however, the number of infections has increased by up to 30 percent, criticizes the WHO. There was also a significant increase in Europe: In 2018, 41,000 children and adults were infected in the first half of the year alone. In 2017, there were 23,927 people affected; in 2016, only 5,573 people fell ill.
In Germany there are always outbreaks, the annual number of cases vary considerably. In 2017, for example, 929 measles cases were reported, compared to only 325 in 2016. To prevent outbreaks, 95 percent of the population would need to be immunized. But in Germany, this rate is not fulfilled in all age groups
MEASLES
Vaccination opponents would "in an irresponsible way the health of many people" put at risk, criticized Lauterbach. The measles are a dangerous disease and could spread further if vaccination rates were not increased.
What is the duty of vaccination?
More restrained expressed the health spokeswoman of the Union faction, Karin Maag (CDU). Although she sees vaccination opponents as "a major health risk." However, before a vaccination requirement could be discussed in Germany, it was necessary to examine what experiences had been made in Italy and France following the introduction of measles vaccination. "If it turns out that the two countries have success through vaccination, we should also discuss compulsory vaccination in Germany," said Maag.
The Union expert also expressed legal concerns. Sooner or later, compulsory vaccination would land in front of the Federal Constitutional Court, Maag said. Much has already been done to prevent measles. For example, unvaccinated children may be excluded from the kitten's visit for a while, and parents would have to pay heavy fines for refusing vaccine counseling.
The Greens are also opposed to compulsory vaccination. According to health expert Kordula Schulz-Asche, advice must be given instead of coercion and sanctions.
Why measles are so dangerous
A mandatory vaccination has been discussed repeatedly in Germany, especially after regional severe measles outbreaks. While paediatricians have long been demanding a duty to vaccinate, the federal government is so far skeptical. Spahn himself had a few years ago, at that time as a CDU health expert, a vaccination not generally rejected.
Measles are extremely contagious. The triggering viruses are transmitted through small droplets in the air when speaking, coughing or sneezing. The disease is initially accompanied by flu-like symptoms and later a characteristic rash. The infection weakens the immune system immensely, further infections are therefore a frequent consequence.
A dreaded risk is brain inflammation, the so-called measles encephalitis, which can result in fatal or permanent damage. As a late consequence of a measles infection, a so-called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can develop after years, an inflammation of the nerve cells of the brain and the spinal cord. It leads to the loss of brain functions and finally death.
In the video: The bizarre world German vaccination opponents
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