German health minister ponders fines for not vaccinating against measles

Germany’s health minister Jens Spahn told reporters Sunday that he has drawn up draft legislation that would mandate measles vaccination for all school-aged children — and impose substantial fines for not complying. The country, like many other parts of Europe and the U.S., has seen in a rise in measles cases this year: More than 200 cases of measles were reported in Germany in the first 10 weeks of this year. The legislation has yet to be brought in front of the German parliament, but Spahn shared that, if approved, the proposed rule will require all parents to show proof of vaccination or else face a fine of up to 2,500 Euros. Schoolchildren and children attending daycare would also be banned from the facilities in order to protect those who are unable to receive the vaccine.