Germany makes measles vaccination compulsory

Violators of the law will be fined 2500 euros.

The German government has passed a law making measles vaccination compulsory. Residents who violate this law will be fined 2500 euros. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people refusing to vaccinate is one of the most significant obstacles in the way of global healthcare development. 

Today, up to 3 million deaths are annually prevented thanks to vaccines. However, by increasing the reach of vaccination, we could save another 1.5 million lives. 

Most scientists and medical experts believe that the 2019 measles epidemic is directly linked to a mass vaccination refusal. At the beginning of the year, the number of registered cases saw a threefold increase compared to the previous year. According to a UN report, more than 21 million children are not vaccinated against measles each year. From 2010 to 2017, approximately 169 million children did not receive the first out of two vaccines recommended by doctors. 

In Germany, the measles vaccine will become mandatory starting in March 2020, when the new law will enter into force.