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 calendar that states which vaccinations are recommended. This applies to babies, children, adolescents, and adults in Germany.

Questions about vaccinations can be answered by your general practitioner. It is best to bring your vaccination record to your doctor's office and have your vaccination status checked regularly. Your doctor will tell you if you need important vaccinations or if boosters are necessary. Health insurance covers the costs for vaccinations if they are listed in the Robert Koch Institute's (RKI) vaccination calendar.

In addition to the frequently recommended vaccinations, there are many others that may be important depending on age, health status, occupation, or life 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, brain inflammation, or infertility. Adults who did not receive a measles vaccination should also get vaccinated.
2. Flu (influenza): This vaccination is particularly 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 (lockjaw): This vaccination is important to prevent infections through wounds. It is refreshed every ten years. People who frequently spend time in nature or work with animals are particularly at risk.
4. Whooping cough (pertussis): This vaccination protects infants and young children from the dangerous disease that 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 particularly recommended for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 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 a lot, come into professional contact with blood, or have chronic liver diseases.
7. Pneumococcus: This vaccination protects against pneumonia caused by pneumococcus bacteria. It is particularly recommended for older people, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
8. Meningococcus: This vaccination protects against a dangerous meningitis caused by meningococcus bacteria. It is particularly recommended for young adults living in communal facilities such as universities, as well as for 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 to areas with poor hygiene standards, such as many Asian countries.
10. Travel vaccinations: If you travel 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 early before the trip. You may have to pay for certain travel vaccinations yourself.

Some vaccinations not listed in the Robert Koch Institute's (RKI) vaccination calendar may be additional benefits of your health insurance. Therefore, it is important to ask your doctor or health insurance which vaccinations are useful for you and which costs are covered.

You can find more information on this topic here:
You can find the current 2025 vaccination calendar directly at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) onRKI - Bekanntmachungen der STIKO - Impfkalender 2025. Institute (RKI) on

Here you will find a translation of the RKI's German vaccination calendar into nine different languages (Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian):RKI - Impfaufklärung in verschiedenen Sprachen - Impfkalender in 10 Sprachen 

You can also find all other recommendations for vaccinations for infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant women underSchutzimpfungen und spezifische Vorsorge | BMG 

Other special vaccinations (e.g., against HPV to prevent cervical cancer or other diseases) are also listed in the vaccination calendar and in the STIKO recommendations.RKI - STIKO recommendations - Vaccination recommendations by STIKORecommendations.

You can find more information on travel vaccinations here:RKI - Reiseimpfungen