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March 1, 2002

“Measles Outbreak Hits German Region”

Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com)

(02/28/02); Stafford, Ned

The Bavarian district of Coburg has reported an outbreak of over 600 cases of measles, according to Germany’s Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ).  Dr. Walrus Knipping, head of the Bavarian office of the BVKJ, attributes the rise in part to the reluctance of some parents to have their children vaccinated with the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot.  Knipping says that in 2000, nearly 80 percent of Bavarian children received the first dose of MMR, which is given to infants; but only 60 percent took the second dose, which is given around six years of age.  The BVKJ, the Bavarian Health Ministry and other health organizations are pursuing new efforts to promote the MMR vaccine in Bavarian schools.

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