In the face of a threat of a measles wave in several regions of Germany, the Grand coalition is examining the introduction of a nationwide vaccination of children against the virus infection.

SPD-health expert Karl Lauterbach told the Newspapers of the editorial network in Germany, he was with the Federal Minister of health, Jens Spahn (CDU), is in talks over a corresponding step. He was “confident that we can soon submit a proposal”. Lauterbach emphasized that his party advocate within the coalition for vaccination for children should be limited to measles.

The liberals also call for the introduction. The Deputy Chairman of the FDP parliamentary group, Michael Theurer said, to let children vaccinated, would be “irresponsible to the Welfare of their own child, and also to people who can’t be vaccinated for health reasons.”

Unicef reports a sharp rise in infection numbers

The Minister of health Spahn had made to his time as health politicians of the CDU/CSU group in the Bundestag already for mandatory measles vaccinations for children. The reason for the re-debate an increase in the number of measles cases, among other things, in lower Saxony Hildesheim.

In view of this outbreak the German society for child and youth medicine (DGKJ), had spoken out recently again for a vaccination compulsory against measles. Measles are extremely contagious and potentially deadly. The better the vaccination rate, the more secure the life is just for the little ones, said the society.

More on the topic of

The world health authority reports: measles cases in Europe have tripled

Researchers refute claim: vaccination is not a cause of autism

In addition to the acute disease may occur as a late consequence of the so-called SSPE, a usually fatal inflammation of the brain. Children are particularly at risk in the first year of life, are still too young for a measles-Mumps-rubella vaccination.

International organisations are warning in an alarming increase in the number of measles cases Worldwide have been registered in the past year, 98 countries have a stronger appearance of the virus infection than in the previous year, according to a recent report by the UN children’s Fund, Unicef.