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Int J Public Health. 2016 Sep;61(7):847-60. doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0842-8. Epub 2016 Aug 4.
Epidemiology and economic burden of measles mumps pertussis and varicella in Germany: a systematic review.
Damm O1 Witte J2 Wetzka S3 Prosser C4 Braun S4 Welte R3 Greiner W2.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Despite the availability of vaccines and the existence of public vaccination recommendations outbreaks of vaccine-preventable childhood diseases still cause public health debate. The objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the current epidemiology and economic burden of measles mumps pertussis and varicella in Germany.
METHODS:
We systematically reviewed studies published since 2000. The literature search was conducted using PubMed and EMBASE. Also we used German notification data to give an up-to-date overview of the epidemiology of the four diseases under consideration.
RESULTS:
Thirty-six studies were included in our review. Results suggest that there is still considerable morbidity due to childhood diseases in Germany. Studies providing cost estimates are scarce. Comparative analyses of different data sources (notification data vs. claims data) revealed a potential underestimation of incidence estimates when using notification data. Furthermore several studies showed regional differences in incidence of some of the diseases under consideration.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings underline the need for improved vaccination and communication strategies targeting all susceptible age and risk groups on a national and local level.