Vaccinations
Performance specification
Vaccination offers protection against infectious diseases.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) issues recommendations once a year on which vaccinations are useful in general and for whom in particular. The STIKO's recommendations are considered the scientific standard. Vaccination is not compulsory in Germany.
After basic immunisation, usually in infancy or toddlerhood, many vaccinations require regular booster shots to maintain protection. Some vaccinations are also recommended for specific occupational groups or groups of people, e.g. pregnant women.
Process flow
Contact your family doctor or your child's paediatrician for vaccinations and consultations, or your local health office for advice. Some health offices also carry out vaccinations themselves.
Tip: On the website of the Robert Koch Institute you will find the recommendations of the Permanent Vaccination Commission with the vaccinations that infants, toddlers, adolescents and adults should receive. You will also find a table of indication and booster vaccinations. The recommendations are explained with rationales and bulletins. Further information on the subject of vaccination can be found on the website of the Federal Centre for Health Education at www.impfen-info.de ;
You can find out which vaccinations are important for travellers on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.Vaccinations that have been carried out are entered in a yellow vaccination certificate. You will receive the vaccination certificate from your family doctor or paediatrician.
Requirements
Prerequisites for vaccination are:
- Examination of the individual necessity of each vaccination
- suitable health status of the person to be vaccinated
What are the fees?
The costs for vaccinations recommended by the STIKO, with the exception of travel vaccinations, are covered by the health insurance. There is no obligation for the statutory health insurance funds to cover the costs of travel vaccinations. To clarify to what extent individual health insurance funds will cover the costs of a travel vaccination as an additional benefit, please contact your health insurance fund.
Legal basis
Comments
The Measles Protection Act came into force on 1 March 2020.
Who do I need to contact?
Vaccinations are carried out by your family doctor or paediatrician, advice is given by the local health authority.