Measles vaccination for all babies from nine months

21 measles-diseases registered by the Federal office for health (BAG) since the beginning of the year. The youngest affected child was just a year old. Although uncomplicated measles cases generally heal quickly and without permanent consequences, especially in babies, the disease is more often associated with severe complications such as pneumonia or meningitis. "It is important, therefore, that already small children are at an early stage vaccinated," says Mark Witschi, a vaccination expert at the BAG.

Until today, was that nursery children are to receive at the age of nine months, the vaccines against measles, Mumps and rubella (MMR). Children who are not cared for in the alien, only with twelve months. As research shows, this will change in the future. By the end of March with a uniform vaccination recommendation: All nine-month children are to be vaccinated against measles.

"most want to protect your child as soon as it is possible."Jan Cahlik, children and youth doctor

Jan Cahlik has over 20 years child and youth doctor. The Vice-President of the Association of pediatricians, Switzerland welcomes the adjustment. "Measles is a potentially life-threatening disease," said Cahlik. Therefore, he inoculated all of Nine months against MMR. "The advantages outweigh the disadvantages." Cahlik is convinced that the early measles-vaccination at day-care centre children significantly in the last few years, the diseases have declined. Complications or severe side effects it was his practice never. And also on the opposition of parents Cahlik is encountered only rarely. "Most want to protect your child as soon as it is possible."

For a vaccination Compulsory, as it is know in France or Italy or even some day-care centres in Germany to implement, are neither pediatricians nor the BAG. The reason is that The vaccination rates have consistently increased. And in the past two years, there were far fewer measles cases and contagions. Proceeds this year are also positive, the world health organization of a successful elimination.

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 23.02.2019, at 23:25