Germany is to make measles vaccinations compulsory for all children from next year amid concern at the rise in infections.

Angela Merkel’s cabinet agreed on Wednesday to make vaccinations mandatory at all schools and kindergartens. As school is compulsory in Germany and home schooling is not permitted, parents will be obliged to vaccinate their children.

From March next year, parents who fail to show proof their children have been vaccinated or have a medical condition that exempts them will face fines of up to €2,500 (£2,258). The new law will also apply to teachers and kindergarten staff.

“We want to save as many children as possible from measles infection,” Jens Spahn, the German health minister, said on Wednesday. “Measles is extremely contagious and can take a very nasty, at times deadly, turn.”