German Health Minister Hermann Groehe set alarm bells ringing on Monday over the need for measles immunization after the government revealed an 18-month-old child died from the disease. The child died on February 18 in Berlin, the city's senator for health, Mario Czaja, said. The capital has seen 574 cases of measles since an outbreak was first reported in October, dpa reported. Groehe criticized parents for not getting their children immunized against the disease over concerns about possible side effects - including the discredited theory that it causes autism - but stopped short of demanding compulsory vaccinations. "The gaps in immunization coverage in Germany are much too large, the gaps in protection are unacceptable," he said.
