Immunization rates at the school entry in 2012.

Background: The immunization rates for some diseases, including measles, were so low in Germany in recent years that endemic outbreaks occurred. A finely detailed geographic analysis of immunization rates is necessary for the identification of under-immunized areas.

Methods: We addressed this question with the aid of regional and local data from school entrance examinations, which were made available to us by the health departments of the German federal states.

Impact of physicians' attitude to vaccination on local vaccination coverage for pertussis and measles in Germany.

Background: Vaccination rates of children in Germany are unsatisfying and regional endemic outbreaks have been reported. Few studies have analysed physicians' attitude towards vaccination. We investigated whether there is an association between physicians' attitude and vaccination coverage on the regional level for Germany.