German Health Officials Urge Vaccination After Child's Diphtheria Death

A 10-year-old boy in Berlin, reportedly unvaccinated, has died from diphtheria, prompting calls for parents to ensure their children are immunized.

A 10-year-old boy in Berlin, who was reportedly unvaccinated, died after battling diphtheria for four months, highlighting the dangers of the disease.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and the Pediatricians' Association are urging parents to review their children's vaccination status as a preventive measure.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause severe symptoms such as respiratory obstruction and, in rare cases, death, though it is now uncommon in Germany due to widespread vaccination.
The diphtheria vaccine does not completely prevent infection but provides reliable protection against severe symptoms and complications of the disease.
The Robert Koch Institute reports that diphtheria cases in Germany remain rare, with 51 confirmed cases in 2024, but emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks.