New action plan to eliminate measles and rubella by 2020

Fight against infectious diseases: Vaccination campaign against measles and rubella

Although measles and rubella are often dismissed as allegedly harmless childhood illnesses, both diseases can also be dangerous for adults. In Berlin now the vaccination of the population should be better. The health senator of the capital presented a plan of action to eliminate measles and rubella by 2020.

No harmless teething problems

Health experts never tire of pointing out that measles and rubella are by no means harmless teething troubles. Both infectious diseases can affect adults and sometimes life-threatening. Vaccinations are available for both diseases. In Berlin, the vaccination of the population should now be improved.

Measles and rubella are not harmless teething troubles but dangerous viral infections. In Berlin, the population should now be better protected against the diseases. (Image: sharryfoto / fotolia.com)

Voluntary instead of legal compulsion

The Berlin Senate calls rubella and measles the fight. On Tuesday, Health Senator Dilek Kolat (SPD) presented a plan to eliminate the two diseases over the next two years.

"Measles and rubella are not harmless childhood diseases, but viral infections that can have serious health consequences. These diseases are preventable because there is an effective vaccination, "said the senator in a statement.

"One of our main goals is therefore to increase the vaccination rate among the population of Berlin," said Kolat.

In connection with the infectious disease is repeatedly discussed a possible measles vaccination in Germany. In Italy, such was recently introduced by decree of law. The Berlin Health Senator relies on voluntariness:

"Our concept lists a number of directly effective measures that we will tackle together with health authorities, general practitioners and company doctors. In doing so, we rely on voluntary action instead of legal compulsion. "

At least 95 percent of the population vaccinated

The disease has been on the decline since the introduction of the measles vaccine some 40 years ago, but measles eradication has been slowed down again.

There are always outbreaks. Most recently in Berlin from October 2014 to August 2015, there was a measles epidemic with around 1,400 cases. In early 2015, a first death had been reported. An unvaccinated toddler died from the disease.

In 2017, 66 cases of measles were reported in Berlin by the end of November.

Elimination of the disease is when at least 95 percent of the population is vaccinated, the virus can no longer spread and occurs less than one case per million inhabitants and year.

In all of Berlin, that would be three cases. An eradication (eradication) is according to international definition, if the virus can no longer be detected worldwide. Only then would vaccinations become superfluous.

Measures tailored to target groups

The Berlin Measles and Rubella Elimination Plan (BEMREP) is the Berlin concept to implement the "National Action Plan 2015-2020 for the elimination of measles and rubella in Germany" at the state level.

He provides various measures tailored to the target groups, such as:

The health authorities should at the same time offer a vaccination consultation and, if desired, a vaccination during the enrollment examinations.

Daycare centers are required to provide proof of vaccination counseling when receiving a child and, if necessary, to send a notification to the responsible health department.

Through a mandatory invitation and feedback system, the participation rate of children in the check-ups (U1 to U9) was significantly increased. This should now also be introduced for the youth protection investigations.

In the case of young adults, company doctors also play an important role. They should also be informed and trained, such as doctors in private practice or other multipliers such as neighborhood mothers.

Since, in particular, mild cases of rubella are often not diagnosed, there should be more laboratory tests in this area. (Ad)