Which vaccinations are recommended?

A vaccination is when a doctor injects a liquid into your body that contains small, harmless parts of pathogens. These parts prepare your body to quickly recognize and fight the disease. Vaccinations are recommended for certain age groups or risk groups. Some vaccinations need to be given multiple times or repeated as a booster.

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute publishes a vaccination schedule that specifies which vaccinations are recommended. This applies to babies, children, adolescents, and adults in Germany.

You can ask your general practitioner about vaccinations. It is best to bring your vaccination record to your GP’s practice and have your vaccination status checked regularly. Your doctor will tell you whether you need important vaccinations or booster shots. Health insurance covers the costs of vaccinations if they are listed in the vaccination schedule of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

In addition to the frequently recommended vaccinations, there are many others that may be important depending on age, health status, profession, or living circumstances. Here is an overview:

1. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): These vaccinations are particularly important for children, as the diseases can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or infertility. Adults who have not been vaccinated against measles should also get vaccinated.
2. Influenza (flu): This vaccination is especially recommended for older people, pregnant women, and people with certain pre-existing conditions. The flu can lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia. Since the flu virus changes every year, the vaccination should be renewed annually.
3. Tetanus: This vaccination is important to prevent infections from wounds. It is refreshed every ten years. People who spend a lot of time outdoors or work with animals are particularly at risk.
4. Pertussis (whooping cough): This vaccination particularly protects infants and young children from the dangerous disease, which leads to severe coughing fits. Adults should also get vaccinated to avoid transmitting the virus to children.
5. HPV (human papillomavirus): This vaccination protects against viruses that can cause cervical cancer and other types of cancer. It is primarily recommended for girls and boys aged 9 to 14, but can also be administered later.
6. Hepatitis B: This vaccination protects against liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is particularly important for people who travel frequently, come into contact with blood at work, or have chronic liver diseases.
7. Pneumococcal: This vaccination protects against pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. It is particularly recommended for older people, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
8. Meningococcal: This vaccination protects against a dangerous form of meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria. It is particularly recommended for young adults living in shared accommodations such as universities, as well as travelers to certain countries.
9. Hepatitis A: This vaccination protects against liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is recommended if you are traveling in areas with poor hygiene standards, such as many Asian countries.
10. Travel vaccinations: If you are traveling to certain countries, additional vaccinations may be required, such as against typhoid, yellow fever, or rabies. These vaccinations depend on the destination, and it is important to inform yourself about them in good time before the trip. You may have to pay for certain travel vaccinations yourself.

Some vaccinations not listed in the vaccination schedule of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) may be additional services covered by your health insurance. That is why it is important to ask your doctor, your doctor, or your health insurance company which vaccinations are advisable for you and which costs are covered.

You can find more information on this topic here:
You can find the current vaccination schedule 2025 directly at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) onRKI - STIKO announcements - Vaccination schedule 2025. Institute (RKI) on

Here you can find a translation of the German vaccination schedule from the RKI into nine different languages (Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian):RKI - Vaccination education in different languages - Vaccination schedule in 10 languages 

You can also find all further recommendations for vaccinations for infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women underVaccinations and specific preventive care | BMG 

Other specific vaccinations (e.g., against HPV to prevent cervical cancer or other diseases) are also included in the vaccination schedule and in the STIKO recommendations.RKI - STIKO recommendations - Vaccination recommendations by STIKOrecommendations.

You can find more information about travel vaccinations here:RKI - Travel vaccinations