Improving protection |
 |  | Translated by Marta Campbell |
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24.03.2025 12:00 Uhr |
The Epidemiological Bulletin of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for the 2023/24 season shows that people of all age groups are insufficiently protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. / © Novavax
Scepticism is not only directed at the new vaccines. There are also vaccination gaps in Germany when it comes to traditional and proven vaccines against measles, poliomyelitis or human papillomavirus (HPV), for example. The Epidemiological Bulletin of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for the 2023/24 season shows that people of all age groups are insufficiently protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
At first glance, the immunisation rates for infants are high. However, many immunisation series are not completed on time or not at all. The third dose of the six-dose immunisation, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis, among others, is particularly affected. By the age of two, only 77 per cent of children have full protection against polio. According to the RKI, there are considerable regional differences, with some districts recording vaccination rates of less than 60 per cent.
This can be illustrated by measles, for example. Vaccination against measles has been compulsory for children since 2020. Since then, vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella have improved, but up to 10 per cent of children only receive one dose instead of the recommended two. This reduces individual protection. Overall, the vaccination rate in Germany falls short of the 95 per cent target.
According to the latest BARMER Drug Report, only 87 per cent of two-year-olds were fully vaccinated against measles in 2022. Although this is an increase of eight percentage points compared to 2019, it is still below the threshold required for herd immunity. According to the report, vaccination rates are particularly low in Saxony (77 per cent), Baden-Württemberg (84 per cent) and Bavaria (85 per cent), which are up to ten percentage points below the national average.
In addition, around 5 per cent of children born in 2020 were completely without any vaccination in 2022. Experts are warning that vaccination gaps not only endanger the children concerned, but also increase the risk of regional measles outbreaks.
The HPV vaccination is important and recommended in adolescence, as it can protect against later cancer diseases. Here too, coverage is inadequate. The vaccination rate for 15-year-old girls is currently 55 per cent, and only 34 per cent for boys. This shows a stagnating trend.
