What is a vaccination and why is it important for you?

Vaccinations protect you from dangerous diseases like measles, flu, or COVID-19. During a vaccination, a liquid containing small, harmless parts of pathogens is injected into you. Your body then learns to quickly recognize and fight the disease.

Sometimes you need to receive vaccinations multiple times or have them refreshed regularly to ensure full protection. This means that after the first vaccination, you receive additional doses of the vaccine to ensure your body builds sufficient protection against the pathogens. Booster shots are important because protection can wane over time. They ensure your body continues to fight the disease effectively.

Which vaccinations are particularly important?

There are vaccinations recommended for certain age groups or risk groups. Risk groups consist of people who have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill due to pre-existing conditions or their age.

Here are some vaccinations particularly recommended in Germany:

1. Mumps, measles, rubella (MMR): These vaccinations are especially important for children, but adults should also get vaccinated if they haven’t already.
2. Flu: In the vaccination record, it is listed as influenza. The flu vaccination is particularly recommended for older people, pregnant women, and people with certain illnesses. It should be renewed every year.
3. COVID-19: In the vaccination record, it is listed as COVID-19. Vaccination against the coronavirus is recommended for everyone. Older people may need booster shots to ensure long-lasting protection. For COVID-19, these booster shots are necessary annually.
4. Tetanus (lockjaw): This vaccination protects against infections through wounds and is refreshed every ten years.
5. Pertussis (whooping cough): In the vaccination record, the vaccine is listed as “pertussis.” This vaccination particularly protects young children and infants from severe coughing.
6. HPV (human papillomavirus): This vaccination protects against certain types of cancer. It is recommended for girls and boys aged 9 to 14.
7. Hepatitis B: This vaccination protects against liver inflammation and is particularly important for travelers or people with chronic liver diseases.
8. Pneumococcal disease: This vaccination protects against pneumonia and is especially recommended for older people.
9. Meningococcal disease: This vaccination protects against dangerous meningitis and is especially recommended for young adults.
10. Hepatitis A: This vaccination is recommended for travel to areas with poor hygiene.
11. Travel vaccinations: When traveling to certain countries, additional vaccinations may be necessary (e.g., against typhoid or yellow fever).

Who covers the costs of vaccinations?

The statutory health insurance covers the costs of vaccinations listed in the vaccination schedule of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), such as those against flu, measles, and tetanus. You can find the current vaccination schedule for the current calendar year directly on the Robert Koch Institute website at RKI - Vaccination Schedule. The Robert Koch Institute also provides the vaccination schedule in various languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian. You can find the vaccination schedules under RKI - Vaccination education in various languages - Vaccination schedules in 10 languages

How do you know you’ve received all the important vaccinations?

It’s important to regularly check whether you’ve received all the necessary vaccinations. This keeps you healthy and protected from diseases. The best way is to take your vaccination record with you to your general practitioner’s office. Your doctor can tell you if you still need any vaccinations or if booster shots are necessary. If you don’t have a vaccination record or have lost it, you can get one at your general practitioner’s office.

What is a vaccination record?

A vaccination record is a small yellow booklet in which all the vaccinations you’ve received are recorded. This record helps you keep track of your vaccinations. It’s especially important if you need to prove you’ve had certain vaccinations—such as when traveling abroad or for certain jobs.

Your vaccination record includes:

• the name of the vaccine,
• the date of the vaccination,
• the doctor who administered the vaccination.

It’s important to always carry your vaccination record with you in case you need a vaccination or have to provide proof.

There is also a digital vaccination record where you can store your vaccinations conveniently on your phone. This way, you always have your vaccination record with you and never miss an important vaccination. The app is called “ImpfPassDE” and can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone). For more information about the digital vaccination record, visit ImpfPassDE App - Your digital vaccination record app is here!