Request for companies to strengthen rubella measures Before the Olympics and Para, Ministry of Health, January 31 5:14
With the urgent need for antibody tests and vaccinations to prevent the spread of rubella at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has assigned in-house rubella countermeasures to approximately 1,400 large companies affiliated with Keidanren. We have requested that measures be strengthened, such as establishing new ones and introducing antibody tests in regular medical examinations.
Rubella is an infectious disease caused by the virus, and the heart, eyes, and ears of a child born when a pregnant woman is infected may have a disorder called `` congenital rubella syndrome, '' and in the past 10 years, a total of 51 people have It has been reported.
Last year, 2306 people were infected with rubella, and the number of cases continues to rise, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare distributes free coupons for men aged 40 to 57 who did not have access to routine immunization. And promoted antibody testing and vaccination.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has set a goal to carry out antibody tests on 4.8 million people by July in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, but the use of coupons has been sluggish, and only 109 Stays with everyone.
Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has requested that approximately 1,400 large corporations affiliated with Keidanren strengthen their measures in order to encourage them to undergo antibody tests at work.
Specifically, a large company, etc. should have a rubella countermeasure in-house, conduct an antibody test for rubella at regular medical checkups, and report the number of people tested to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Seeking.
In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to ask prefectural governments to guide their examinees to antibody testing, saying that approaches to small businesses and self-employed workers are also necessary.
Expert "Important measures against corporate infectious diseases"
Professor Teiji University's professor Yoshiharu Fukuda, who is well-versed in medical policy, said, "If you incorporate it into a health checkup, you can get an antibody test without your knowledge, and it is an important initiative to increase the consultation rate. Information is difficult to reach, so we need to work in the workplace. "
In addition, "The number of people coming to Japan from the overseas for the Olympics and the Paralympics will increase the risk of infectious diseases. In addition, as infectious disease measures for companies, including the new coronavirus, are becoming more important, I hope that this activity will help strengthen our activities. "