Rubella epidemic Mothers request MHLW to strengthen measures August 22 16:48
As the number of patients with rubella increased and more than 2,000 people nationwide, a group of mothers who became infected during pregnancy and had problems with their children visited the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the 22nd, and strengthened measures such as urging vaccination Submitted a request form.
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the number of rubella cases reported by medical institutions nationwide by 11th of this month has risen to 2079, and it has become a big epidemic to exceed 2000 by this time Since 2013.
Under these circumstances, a group of mothers who once became infected with rubella during pregnancy and suffered from `` congenital rubella syndrome '' in which children suffered from eye and ear damage visited the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the 22nd and asked for strengthening measures. Submitted a request form.
At the center of the epidemic, however, men aged 40 to 57 who had no chance of regular vaccination when they were children, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare distributes coupons that allow vaccination free of charge in principle. However, users are still a part.
According to the request form, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to distribute coupons over 3 years, but it will be handed out to everyone as soon as possible, and the government will encourage companies to conduct antibody tests for rubella during health examinations, etc. Looking for.
Mr. Shigeko Ohata, who became infected with rubella during pregnancy and the child became deaf, “I suffered from rubella in the early stages of pregnancy and was forced to choose my life against birth. Rubella is a disease that can be prevented. I want you to get a vaccine without thinking of anything. "