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Germany has implemented the Measles Protection Act this week, with a bill that stipulates that all children must have the measles vaccine.
Children aged from one must have both measles vaccines recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission before they can attend kindergarten or school.
Failure to comply can result in a fine of €2,500 (over R40 000) and your un-vaccinated child being barred from school.
Also read: Why parents should fear measles, not the vaccine
Children already cared for in kindergarten and at school or in other community facilities must provide evidence of their vaccination by 31 July 2021, and daycare centres that allow un-vaccinated children to attend will also face hefty fines.
People were born after 1970 and work in community or medical facilities - such as educators, teachers, day care workers and medical personnel - must also be vaccinated, and provide evidence of this.
The proof can be provided in the form of a vaccination certificate, a child examination booklet or a medical certificate proving you are immune to the disease.
Global resurgence
Measles has seen a resurgence around the world. The illness doesn't discriminate, and both high-income countries in the Americas and Europe and lower-income nations in Asia and Africa have reported cases of measles: almost 350,000 globally in 2018.
According to the United Nations children's agency UNICEF this is more than double from 2017.
The resurgence is said to be fueled by fear of vaccines, a lack of access to vaccines, and complacency.
Germany registered 501 measles cases between January and mid-October 2019, according to the German Ministry of Health.
Compiled for Parent24 by Elizabeth Mamacos
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