Decline in Measles Cases This Year, Low Vaccination Rates Point to Concerns
In Bavaria, the vaccination rate for the second measles vaccination among children aged two stands at 76.7%, according to recent data. This figure falls short of the recommended 95% coverage needed to eradicate measles, a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications, including death.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) advises the first measles vaccination at 11 months and the second at 15 months. However, the vaccination rate for the first measles vaccination among two-year-olds in Bavaria is over 90%.
Judith Gerlach, the Health Minister of Bavaria, has highlighted the importance of vaccinations in eliminating measles. She urges all adults born after 1970 and all young people to check their vaccination status, as they may need catch-up vaccinations to be fully protected.
Gerlach emphasizes that those who were vaccinated twice in childhood or once as adults are the only ones who are fully protected. In the pre-pandemic year of 2019, there were 75 measles cases in the entire year in Bavaria. However, due to COVID-19 protective measures, the number of measles cases in Bavaria was between 2 and 11 per year from 2021 to 2023. As of August 4th, 2025, 41 cases of measles have been reported in Bavaria, a concerning increase.
For the 2023/24 school year, 97.1% of Bavarian students had received two measles vaccinations. Despite this relatively high rate, Gerlach considers the current vaccination rates for Bavarian children as too low. The Ministry of Health in Bavaria also considers the vaccination rate to be too low, and efforts are ongoing to improve rates.
Meeting the ≥95% coverage in both children and adults is critical to interrupt measles transmission and achieve eradication in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute and European public health bodies emphasize increasing vaccination coverage to this target.
While recommendations are clear for high two-dose coverage near 95%, Germany still faces challenges to reach this benchmark for complete eradication, particularly among adults. Ongoing public health efforts target improving both child and adult vaccination uptake. It is crucial that everyone takes their vaccination status seriously to protect themselves and others from measles.
The Ministry of Health in Bavaria acknowledges that the current vaccination rates for children are too low and are working diligently to improve them. For a complete eradication of measles, it is crucial that not only children but also adults attain a coverage of 95%. Therefore, it's essential for all adults born after 1970 and young people to check their vaccination status and take catch-up vaccinations if necessary to ensure their mental health, included in the realm of health-and-wellness, and overall health is protected from measles, a disease that can lead to severe complications and even death.
