Four out of five require vaccination for children
DAK-Gesundheit warns against careless handling of so-called teething troubles
07/11/2013
Vaccinate or not vaccinate? When it comes to the prevention of so-called teething problems, parents in Germany have the choice. The result: measles outbreaks, as recently in Berlin, endanger children and adults. Health Minister Daniel Bahr has therefore brought a vaccination for children into conversation. His initiative receives broad support from the population. A representative survey * of DAK-Gesundheit shows: Four out of five Germans (79 percent) want to be vaccinated!
As reasons, the respondents indicated that consistent vaccination reduces the number of diseases (82 percent). More than two-thirds (73 percent) want to be vaccinated because many parents were too lighthearted with the topic. Almost as many (68 percent) believe that childhood illnesses are generally underestimated. „The term teething played down“, says DAK doctor Elisabeth Thomas. „These are serious illnesses that can have serious consequences, including death. Only consistent vaccination could push back so far. It is important to continue this.“ In particular, young adults without sufficient vaccine protection are at risk. The doctor warns against taking measles lightly. Because: „Measles are highly contagious. After many years, long-term consequences such as meningitis or disability can occur.“
Vaccination is popular especially in the East
Among the advocates of vaccination, there are striking regional differences. The most support is given to compulsory vaccination from the new federal states (93 percent). By contrast, approval in northern Germany (72 percent) and Bavaria (71 percent) is much more restrained.
Self-determination of parents?
The vaccination opponents (19 percent of respondents) insist mainly on the right of self-determination of parents (76 percent) or fear that vaccination could bring too many risks and side effects. However, the fact is that the risk of vaccination is very low. Only one out of every one million children vaccinated against measles complains of permanent health damage as a result of the vaccine. Almost every third opponent believes that childhood diseases are often dramatized.
A vaccination obligation has already existed in the Federal Republic of Germany until 1983 against smallpox. In the GDR vaccination against poliomyelitis, measles and smallpox was required by law. Representative population survey by Forsa, 1,002 respondents aged 18 and over, survey period: 8 and 9 July 2013. (pm)
Picture: CFalk