Vaccination targets missed and rates too low: A new report by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) found some deficits in vaccinations for children and adolescents in Germany.
According to an extrapolation for the sixth year of life, around 35,000 children in Germany are still without measles vaccination, as the study published on Thursday shows.
“Crucial vaccination rates among children and adolescents in Germany are too low in all age ranges,” said RKI President Lothar Wieler.
According to the report, almost all vaccinations showed the same shortcomings: they started later than recommended and vaccination series would not be completed on time. The RKI also speaks of large regional differences in the vaccination status.
Vaccination target missed
According to RKI, measles vaccination has seen an increase in recent years. However, according to the report, the goal of 95 to 97 percent of children at the school entrance being vaccinated twice against measles has not yet been achieved nationwide (93.1 percent).
Also with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hib and hepatitis B there is “need for the further closure of vaccine gaps”. The varicella vaccination is “used even less than the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination,” according to the RKI bulletin.
Billing data from the statutory health insurance associations taken into account for the first time
According to their own statements, the authors used two data sources for the first time for the analysis: the vaccination status from the school entrance examinations in 2018 and billing data from the statutory health insurance associations up to and including 2019.
The effects of the new measles vaccination have not yet been recorded. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. The aim is to eradicate the pathogen. (dpa/skb)
