Compulsory vaccination is to be introduced by law: from March 2020, children will only be allowed to go to daycare if they have been vaccinated against measles. Non-vaccinated schoolchildren will face heavy fines.

Measles infections are on the rise worldwide. The World Health Organisation warns against those who refuse to be vaccinated. To eradicate measles, 95% of the population would have to be vaccinated. But compulsory vaccination is controversial. Opponents of vaccination and unsettled parents want to prevent the law. ZDFzoom author Johan von Mirbach looks for answers to the question: compulsory vaccination – yes or no?

The measles vaccination is important. But is compulsory vaccination therefore the right thing to do? Even many vaccination advocates do not want compulsory vaccination. The fundamental right to physical integrity counts. Practitioners like the doctor Stephan Nolte fear a split in society and behavioural scientist Cornelia Betsch stated that if vaccination against measles were compulsory, other vaccinations would be neglected. ZDFzoom meets critics of the new vaccination law and confronts Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn with the arguments of the opponents.