title: [Public Health initiative for improved vaccination for asylum seekers].
abstract: The number of asylum seekers in Germany has increased dramatically in 2015. Their medical care includes the officially recommended vaccinations; yet, no detailed information on this is yet available in Germany. In light of the rising number of asylum seekers, we have developed a concept to facilitate their vaccination. This concept includes the coordination of different partners, the supply of vaccines and other materials through the local health office, and the cooperation with the local physicians' association. To evaluate and accelerate progress, we compared the number of vaccinations conducted by physicians independently of the vaccination concept with those conducted within the new concept. For the period of investigation, 2,256 new asylum seekers were temporarily accommodated in the facilities. The vaccination concept was applied in only some of the facilities. Twenty-eight percent of all asylum seekers (642) were vaccinated at least once; 89 % of the vaccinees (571) were vaccinated within the newly developed concept. In the facilities that were not included in this concept, only 6 % of the refugees were vaccinated, whereas in the facilities that were included up to 58 % were vaccinated. Even though the new concept has started successfully, further innovations are required to reach sufficient vaccination coverage among asylum seekers. In view of the large number of new asylum seekers expected, the adjustment and expansion of the new concept requires professional planning and coordination. Furthermore, additional resources are required.
authors.affiliation: Kreisgesundheitsamt, Geschäftsteil Gesundheitsschutz, Landratsamt Reutlingen, Sankt Wolfgang Straße 13, 72764, Reutlingen, Deutschland. s.brockmann@kreis-reutlingen.de.
authors.forename: Stefan O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Brockmann
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Epidemiologie und angewandte Biometrie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wjst
authors.affiliation: Kreisgesundheitsamt, Geschäftsteil Gesundheitsschutz, Landratsamt Reutlingen, Sankt Wolfgang Straße 13, 72764, Reutlingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zelmer
authors.affiliation: Sozialamt, Landratsamt Reutlingen, Reutlingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carollo
authors.affiliation: Untere Aufnahmebehörde, Landratsamt Reutlingen, Reutlingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Mirjam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Kreisgesundheitsamt, Geschäftsteil Gesundheitsschutz, Landratsamt Reutlingen, Sankt Wolfgang Straße 13, 72764, Reutlingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Gottfried
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roller
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Epidemiologie und angewandte Biometrie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eichner
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D016352:Group Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods*; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Asylum seekers; Medical care; Public health; Refugees; Vaccination