You might’ve recently heard about the potential ban of non-vaccinated children to attend schools in Britain. Now Germany is getting on a similar train, and may choose to fine parents who choose not to vaccinate against the measles their school-aged children.

Leading the initiative is Jens Spahn, Germany’s minister of health, who is calling for a bill that encourages a fine of up to 2,500 euros, or about $2,800 in US dollars, for these anti-vaxx parents who choose to go down this road.

“The goal is to ensure that people are immunized,” says Spahn.

The recent measles outbreak is no joke. Measles are up at whopping 300 percent this year when compared to this same time in 2018, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization.

Additionally, more than 34,000 people in Europe in the first two months of 2019 had caught measles, the United Nations health agency reported. Germany alone had over 500 cases of measles in 2018, with more than 300 for 2019 so far.

Since getting vaccinated is the only way to prevent the measles, Germany is really trying to get parents to take action. Having a fine is the closest way to make vaccinations mandatory in Germany, which is important to avoid the spread of the disease.

This is especially important among children in school who play in close quarters with others, especially those whose immune systems may be compromised. Those on the opposing side feel as though many vaccinations being made mandatory is an invasion of people’s freedom. But enough is enough at some point.

“Whenever there is an outbreak and children or students have to be kept away from lessons, everyone says we could, we should do something—but not enough happens,” Spahn says.

Germany is making moves on the measles! Are you pro or against vaccinations? What do you think about the idea of fining the parents who choose not to vaccinate their children?