Effect of corona on rubella measures Extending the target of antibody test by 1 year 12:34 on July 1, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
The new coronavirus also affects rubella control. Since the number of people who receive antibody tests for rubella is sluggish due to the postponement of regular medical checkups by companies, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare extends the target of 4.8 million antibody tests by this month by one year. It was decided. In the future, we plan to consider support measures for companies.
Rubella is an infection caused by a virus that can affect the heart, eyes, and ears of the child born when a pregnant woman is infected.
Last year, the number of people infected was 2,306, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has promoted antibody testing and vaccination by distributing free coupons for men aged 41 to 58 who did not have the opportunity to receive routine immunization. It was
In addition, from January this year, as an additional measure, we will request about 1400 large companies affiliated to Keidanren to perform antibody tests at regular medical examinations, and by this month 4.8 million people will be tested for antibodies I have set goals.
However, due to the effects of the new coronavirus, medical examinations have been postponed one after another, and only 1.43 million people have had antibody tests by March.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided that it will be difficult to carry out antibody tests and vaccinations as it has been, and has decided to extend the deadline of the target for antibody tests by one year.
On top of that, I would like you to proceed with measures against rubella while thoroughly preventing infection with the new coronavirus, and we will consider support measures for many companies to carry out antibody tests when regular medical examinations are resumed. I am.
21.2% free coupon for antibody testing
Currently, men aged 41 to 58 are not immune enough because they did not have the chance to get the vaccine for rubella when they were children, so in principle, antibody tests to check if they have immunity or not , Can be vaccinated.
The coupons required to receive it free of charge are distributed one by one, and you can receive it from your local government and have it examined by a designated medical institution. In addition, even if the coupon has not arrived yet, you can get the inspection by contacting the local government and sending the coupon.
The test is as simple as collecting blood, and people who are not immune can be vaccinated for free.
You can check the medical institutions that are inspected and vaccinated on the website of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and you can use it at medical institutions other than the municipality where you live.
However, although the distribution of coupons started from last year, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, only 21.2% of people have undergone the antibody test by April this year.
If a woman who is not immune to rubella becomes infected during pregnancy, it may appear in the eyes, ears, or heart of the baby who has a disorder called congenital rubella syndrome.
While rubella is highly infectious, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare calls for active use of coupons because vaccination can prevent the spread of the infection in the surrounding area.
Company survey Antibody test “Not conducted” 48%
In order to take measures against rubella, it is said that it is necessary to have men aged 41 to 58 to be tested for antibodies and to be vaccinated at present, as there is no opportunity for regular vaccination.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is to carry out antibody tests at about 1400 large companies and large-scale workplaces that are affiliated with Keidanren at the time of regular medical examinations, and to set up a person in charge of rubella control within the company. I am requesting.
In response to this request, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare conducted a questionnaire survey in February this year to hear how they are aware of the need for rubella countermeasures and their intentions for future measures.
The survey was conducted at large companies and large-scale workplaces with more than 1000 employees nationwide, totaling 1596 sites, of which 450 responses were obtained.
As a result, regarding the rubella antibody test for employees,
▽ "48%" said that it was "not conducted
" , ▽ "only some employees conducted it" was 35%,
▽ "already It is carried out for the majority of staff” was 17%.
On the other hand, when asking the person in charge of rubella and the industrial physician, respectively, 52% of the persons in charge and 59% of the industrial physicians answered that “it is necessary to immediately implement rubella control for employees”.
When asked about the conditions necessary to take measures against rubella, the person in charge responded that "the cost of the antibody test is not burdened by the company" and the industrial physician answered that "the employer thinks that measures are necessary". That was the most.