• Dtsch Arztebl Int · Nov 2014

    Immunization rates at the school entry in 2012.

    • Martin Weigel, Roswitha Bruns, Kerstin Weitmann, and Wolfgang Hoffmann.
    • University Medicine Greifswald, Institute for Community Medicine, Section Epidemiology of Health Care and Community Health, University Medicine Greifswald, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine.
    • Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2014 Nov 14; 111 (46): 788-94.

    BackgroundThe immunization rates for some diseases, including measles, were so low in Germany in recent years that endemic outbreaks occurred. A finely detailed geographic analysis of immunization rates is necessary for the identification of under-immunized areas.MethodsWe addressed this question with the aid of regional and local data from school entrance examinations, which were made available to us by the health departments of the German federal states. These data are represented both in tabular form and with the aid of a geographical information system (GIS).ResultsThe immunization rates for tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis were high throughout Germany (96.5%, 95.6%, and 95.2%, respectively). In contrast, major variation across regions was seen in immunization rates for hepatitis B (range: 53.5% to 99.1%) and measles (52.1% to 98.3%), with higher immunization rates in areas of the former East Germany. Low immunization rates were particularly evident in some areas in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In some parts of Saxony (a state in the former East Germany), the official immunization recommendations differ from those of the nationwide Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO); as a result, these areas had a mean measles immunization rate of only 66.7% among children entering school.ConclusionHigh immunization rates were found across Germany for tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis, although the rates in some regions were lower than they should be. Stronger informational efforts must be undertaken to improve the public acceptance of immunization against hepatitis B and measles, so that these immunization rates can rise. For measles in particular, uniform nationwide recommendations might help increase the immunization rate.

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