Measles vaccination AOK boss appeals to parents

Measles vaccine: AOK boss appeals to parents

02/24/2015

Berlin is currently hit by a bad measles outbreak. A first death has already been reported. AOK boss Jürgen Graalmann has now called on parents to have their children vaccinated against measles.

AOK boss appeals to parents
The head of the AOK Federal Association, Jürgen Graalmann, has made an appeal to parents to have their children vaccinated against measles. As the news agency dpa reports, Graalmann told the „Rheinische Post“: „When it comes to the lives of children who can not decide by themselves, we should stop talking and stick with what medicine and science teach us.“ The AOK boss further said that a disease that could cause serious damage and cause late menopause in adulthood could not be trivialized.

Worst measles wave since the introduction of the obligation to register
Currently the worst measles wave in Berlin since the introduction of the obligation to register. „At least the tragic death in Berlin should be reason to come now to a compulsory vaccination against measles“, demanded the President of the German Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery. The „Ruhr news“ (Tuesday's edition) he said it was irresponsible not to have their own children vaccinated against measles. The black-red federal government is considering as a reaction to the measles outbreak in Berlin a statutory vaccination obligation. However, leftists and Greens have spoken out against measles vaccination.

Died infant was not vaccinated
The infant, who died in Berlin, was reportedly not vaccinated against the viral disease. As Berlin health senator Mario Czaja (CDU) said, it had died on 18 February in a hospital. However, the Charité has meanwhile stated that the cause of death has not yet been conclusively investigated. The boy had been treated at the clinic. Measles weaken the immune system and can cause, among other things, a middle ear infection or diarrhea. In complications, measles disease can lead to serious infections such as lung and brain inflammation. According to statistics, two out of 1,000 patients die as a result of measles infection.

Long-standing debate about compulsory vaccination
The debate about compulsory vaccination is not new. For years, arguments have been exchanged on the subject of Measles vaccination pros and cons. For example, vaccine opponents repeatedly point to possible side effects of immunization such as redness, swelling, fever or mild itching skin rash. However, these risks are not compared to the effects of measles disease, my advocates. (Ad)