Dr. Karlin Stark, Head of the Health Department, welcomed the participants and speakers. "In current times, when corona threatens to overshadow everything, we must not forget other serious infectious diseases," she said. Patron Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn sent a video message and wished the district's "Stop Measles Campaign" every success. Further support for the campaign also came via video from Manfred Lucha, Minister for Social Affairs and Integration in Baden-Württemberg.
Dr. Uschi Traub, Head of Health Promotion at the Health Department, summarized the legal regulations of the Measles Protection Act. Since March 30, 2021, the deadline for proof of measles protection has been extended from July 31, 2021 to December 31, 2021 for care recipients and employees who were already in the facilities before March 1, 2020.
The First Mayor of the city of Ludwigsburg, Konrad Seigfried, reported as a provider of community facilities that the implementation of the Measles Protection Act in Ludwigsburg is optimally organized and very well received.
Anita Kermisch, Acting Head of the Ludwigsburg State Education Authority, spoke about experiences and current issues. The coronavirus-related school closures made it difficult to present original vaccination certificates. In some cases, it was difficult to interpret the cards. There was also a high level of acceptance at the schools and only a few people refused to be vaccinated.
Paediatrician Dr Thomas Kauth, Deputy Chairman of the Ludwigsburg Medical Association, emphasized the threat of measles and the importance of vaccination: "Measles is much more contagious than COVID." The demand for measles vaccinations in surgeries has increased. In addition to the legal regulations, the Ludwigsburg district's measles vaccination campaign strengthens confidence in the measles vaccination through widespread information and education.
The Schönbohm family told the story of their son Max, who died of a late complication of measles, SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), after many years in a vegetative state. A short film by brother Julian portrays the family's fate in a very moving way.
From May 2021, the Department of Health will be offering free measles titer tests for employees of community facilities. If the titer is protective, no proof of vaccination needs to be presented. Blood samples are taken on Thursdays from May to July from 2 pm to 6 pm. These are only possible by appointment on 07141 144-2520. Interested parties will find presentations and films of the information event as well as questions and answers on the Internet at www.stoppt-masern.de in the next few days.
