Immunization Against Measles at the Asylum Center Bielefeld, Germany: Vaccination Rate 73%, Refusal Rate 21

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the immunization rate as well as the refusals of at least one vaccination against measles by asylum seekers in the reception center (EAE) Bielefeld (a town in Germany). The findings represent a baseline for this asylum center before the implementation of mandatory immunizations against measles. This is a cross-sectional study. Lists with routinely collected management data were used to collect and analyze demographic information (age, gender, nationality) and data on vaccinations. Results In this study, data on 4606 asylum seekers based in the reception center (EAE) Bielefeld (01 January 2018-31 December 2018) were analyzed. These showed that 59% were male, 41% were female asylum seekers and 62% of them were under 30 years of age. The top ten countries of origin were: Turkey 15%, Syria 13%, Iraq 9%, Iran 9%, Nigeria 5%, Afghanistan 4%, Guinea 3%, Albania 3%, Somalia 3% and Pakistan 3%. Of the 4606 asylum seekers, 4326 were between 1 and 49 years of age; 3150 of them possessed at least one documented vaccination against measles. Thus, the immunization rate of measles vaccination was 73%. The immunization rate of measles vaccination related to different age cohorts ranged from 67% (1-4 years of age) to 78% (10-14 years of age). The following main reasons for non-vaccination against measles were identified: refusal (21%), being ill (2%), pregnancy (2%), "other" (1%). In EAE Bielefeld the immunization rate of measles vaccination was 73%. The main reason for non-immunization was refusal to be vaccinated (21% of the eligible asylum seekers). It is a matter of urgency that the immunization rate of EAE Bielefeld be increased. The planned statutory vaccination against measles and internal measures in the reception center will help closing immunization gaps. More studies involving numerous asylum reception centers are required to obtain national figures related to measles immunization of asylum seekers in Germany.