Parents who send their children to school without a measles vaccination or without having survived a measles infection are threatened with a fine of 200 euros in the district of Tübingen. This was confirmed by the press spokeswoman of the district office at the request of Tünews International. “We are currently in the process of initiating the first fine proceedings,” says spokesperson Martina Guizetti. Most recently, there were still 268 open cases in the entire district. However, the majority of the 1351 reports to the public health department, which came from daycare centers, schools, medical facilities or collective accommodation, have been clarified.
The background to this is the Measles Protection Act, which has been in force in Germany since 2020 (Tünews reported: tun22092806). It stipulates that children must be vaccinated against the infectious disease in order to attend kindergartens, daycare centers or schools. There is an exception for anyone who can prove that they have already contracted measles and for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. The vaccination requirement also applies to teachers, educators, medical staff or childminders born after 1970. Refugees living in collective accommodation must also provide proof of a measles vaccination after four weeks, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
However, children and young people can go to school even if they have not been vaccinated. This is because compulsory school attendance takes precedence. However, parents will then receive a letter from the school and the public health department. If no proof is presented to the school or the management doubts this, the school must report this to the public health department in accordance with the Infection Protection Act. The public health department will check and ask the parents in writing to submit proof of protection against measles. If the parents do not respond, they will be reminded again. “If necessary, parents can also seek advice on vaccination at the health department,” says Martina Guizetti. This was used when the young people were at an age where they could decide for themselves whether they wanted to be vaccinated. If the parents still do not respond, they receive another letter—the hearing—in which they are informed specifically about a fine. They can then take a stand again. It then costs money.
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. At worst, it can lead to potentially fatal encephalitis. Vaccination offers the best protection against the disease and provides lifelong immunity. Parents must provide proof of measles vaccination for children over the age of one before they are admitted to a nursery. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, children over the age of two must be vaccinated twice against measles. This also applies to pupils and the staff who work in these facilities.
The dispute over the Measles Protection Act is now also being dealt with by the courts. Most recently, the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg confirmed the measles vaccination requirement. According to the Ärzteblatt, this would also allow a fine to be imposed.
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Mit Impfstoff befüllte Spritzen. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
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