[Sense and nonsense of exposure prophylaxis in communal club installations for children and adolescents -- a contribution to the implementation of the German Defence Against Infection law from a point of view of preventive paediatrics].

The protection against infections in facilities of the community for infants and children, such as kindergarten, schools and training centres, results first of all from the vaccination practice and hygiene practices. Pertussis, varicella and tuberculosis are examples for this. In some cases the transient avoidance of contacts and the intensified integration of the parents could contribute to the prevention of an infection, e. g. strepptococcus A infections and head louses. The consequential realization of the recommendation of the STIKO (expert panel for vaccination guidelines; http://www.rki.de/GESUND/STIKO/STIKO.HTM) is one of the main pillars of protection by vaccination. Vaccine coverage may also be improved by including these paragraphs in the statutes of day nurseries. Before integration of children into such facilities it should be necessary to verify that there are no doubts about the health conditions. This could be confirmed by presenting the vaccination or check-up card.