1000 people in Germany suffering from measles

1000 people in Germany suffering from measles

03/17/2015

The number of people suffering from measles in Germany has risen to more than 1,000. Most of the patients are in Berlin. The recommended vaccination quota against the infectious infectious disease is not reached in this country.

Over 1,000 people suffering from measles
In Germany, measles continue to spread. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the number of cases reported rose to 1,043 in 2015. As reported by the news agency dpa, about 900 cases of measles had been reported in the previous week. Almost two-thirds of the cases go back to the capital. The Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) has registered 684 cases since the beginning of the year until Monday morning. According to Lageso, a total of 805 people have contracted measles in Berlin since the beginning of the measles wave in October 2014. An infant died as a result of an infection. Most patients reportedly did not have sufficient vaccine protection.

No bottlenecks in vaccine care
According to the Berlin Pharmacists Association there are at best delays in vaccine supply, but no bottlenecks. Those who want to get vaccinated have to wait at most one working day for the vaccine. As it was further said, not all medical practices had the combination vaccine - mostly against measles, mumps and rubella - in stock. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends vaccination for adults born after 1970 who are vaccinated against measles only once or in childhood. In these cases, the statutory health insurance companies cover the costs. But even for those born before 1970, to check their vaccination status.

Germany does not achieve the necessary vaccination rate
A measles disease can lead to complications such as otitis media or pneumonia and sometimes have life-threatening consequences such as meningitis. Especially in infants and toddlers in the first year of life and in adults over 20 years, the risk of complications according to health experts is high. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), 400 children worldwide die from measles every day. According to the information, a stable vaccination rate of 95 percent of the population would be required to eliminate the disease. However, according to RKI, the Federal Republic of Germany is still a long way from achieving this goal. (Ad)