Vaccination in Germany: The Definitive Guide

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself (and others) from preventable diseases.

Hence, vaccinations in Germany are widely recommended (sometimes, even legally required) and deeply integrated into public health policy. 

Still, figuring out how the system works can feel overwhelming for newcomers and long-time residents: What vaccines are recommended? Who decides that? And how much does health insurance cover?

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How the German vaccination system works
• What vaccines are recommended for children, adults, travelers, and pregnant women
• Where to get vaccinated
• What statutory and private health insurance plans cover (and don’t cover)
• What to do if you experience severe side effects from vaccinations

Let’s dive right into it.

How does the vaccination system work in Germany?

The Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz or IfSG) is the foundation of Germany’s vaccination system.

It dictates how vaccinations are approved, recommended, financed, and delivered. It ensures that public health measures, including vaccines, are grounded in legal and scientific standards.

Here’s how the regulation is structured:

• The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) develops official vaccine recommendations, which the government uses to determine which vaccines are covered by health insurance.
• The Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit) sets the overarching public health policy and ensures alignment with European Union (EU) regulations.
• The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (a federal agency) approves vaccines for Germany. It evaluates clinical trials to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality. PEI also oversees drug safety and monitors side effects.
• Many vaccines in Germany are first approved by the European Medicines Agency, which provides centralized approvals across all EU countries. PEI participates in this process to adapt decisions to Germany.
• Germany’s federal states are responsible for implementing vaccination programs. Local public health offices (Gesundheitsämter) organize regional vaccination campaigns, especially for schools.

The German vaccination record (Impfpass)

The Impfpass is Germany’s official vaccination record booklet. It’s a small yellow document that records every vaccine you receive, and it is recognized across the EU and in most other countries.

If you recently moved to Germany, your GP or local health office can issue a new Impfpass and transcribe verified vaccines into it. 

If you don’t have any documents, doctors will help you reconstruct your vaccine history based on self-reporting. 

Depending on your vaccination history, they may recommend catch-up vaccinations where necessary.

What vaccines are recommended in Germany?

STIKO’s schedule lays out the most essential vaccines recommended at different life stages: 

If the image above seems intimidating, don’t worry. Here’s a simplified explanation of what vaccines are required for different groups:

Standard vaccinations for children and adolescents

Standard vaccinations for adults

Standard vaccinations for travel

Standard vaccination during pregnancy

Depending on individual health, travel plans, or risk factors, doctors may assess additional needs per case.

Where can you get vaccinated?

In Germany, vaccines are given in multiple places, depending on your age, health status, and the type of vaccine:

1. General Practitioners (GPs)

Most adults and children receive vaccines through Hausärzte (family doctors) or pediatricians. 

These clinics track your vaccination history and provide reminders for follow-ups.

They’re ideal for routine shots and catch-up schedules, like tetanus boosters or flu.

Learn more about how to visit a doctor in Germany.

2. Public health offices (Gesundheitsämter)

They offer free vaccinations in many cities, particularly for:

• School-entry health checks
• Refugees or uninsured individuals
• Large-scale campaigns (e.g., measles elimination)

They also handle international vaccination certificates for when you travel.

3. Pharmacies

As of 2022, pharmacies in Germany are allowed to administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

This is great for people who don’t regularly visit a GP.

Not all pharmacies offer this service, so contact them in advance to confirm.

Learn more about how pharmacies work in Germany.

4. Schools and workplaces

Schools may coordinate vaccinations like HPV or measles for eligible students, often in collaboration with local health authorities. 

Employers and universities also sometimes run on-site vaccination, especially during flu season.

Does health insurance cover vaccinations?

In Germany, the type of health insurance you have, public (GKV) or private (PKV), can impact what vaccines are covered and how costs are reimbursed. 

Let’s take a closer look:

What public health insurance (GKV) covers

Public health insurance covers all STIKO-recommended vaccines.

In some cases, extra vaccines, like travel vaccinations, may be covered depending on your insurance. 

TK, BARMER, and AOK cover all 11 travel vaccines mentioned previously. DAK only covers 10.

What private insurance (PKV) covers

Private health insurance coverage can vary widely depending on your insurer, plan tier, and individual contract terms.

For example, Feather covers 100% of the cost for all STIKO-recommended vaccines.

The only exception is for work-required vaccinations. In these cases, your employer is responsible for payment or reimbursement.

Feather also covers a wide range of travel-related vaccines at 100%, including:

• Cholera
• Dengue
• FSME (tick-borne encephalitis)
• Japanese encephalitis
• Yellow fever
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A & B

If you’re not insured with Feather

Other private plans may not offer the same coverage (though generally, it looks similar). Still, to avoid unexpected costs, you should:

1. Contact your insurer in advance to confirm your coverage
2. Ask if you need a prescription or cost estimate for pre-approving your reimbursement.

Are vaccines safe in Germany?

Yes. Vaccines used in Germany are subject to many evaluations before approval and continuous monitoring after rollout. 

Both national and European agencies continually assess safety and effectiveness. 

Mild side effects, like low-grade fever, fatigue, or soreness at the injection site, are common. But severe reactions are rare. 

Yet, understanding what to do in case of an issue is essential for those experiencing serious reactions.

When to seek medical attention

Contact a doctor if you experience:

• High fever lasting more than 48 hours
• Severe allergic reactions (rash, shortness of breath, swelling) lasting for more than 24 hours
• Any neurological symptoms (seizures, confusion, persistent headaches)
• Persistent injection site swelling or pain beyond 72 hours

Most side effects are short-lived. If you’re in doubt, try waiting a few hours before contacting emergency services.

When to report adverse side effects

You should consider reporting side effects if:

• If you have any unexpected or severe reaction
• Those reactions required medical treatment
• The side effects experienced were not listed in the vaccine information booklet.

How to report adverse effects

Anyone can report vaccine side effects to the PEI. All you have to do is file a report usingthe PEI’s reporting forms (in English or German). 

Make sure your reports include:

• The name of the vaccine
• Date and type of reaction
• Your age and any notable health background (or the patient’s, if you’re filling it out on someone’s behalf)

Conclusion

Understanding how vaccination works in Germany is crucial for making informed health decisions and meeting legal or travel requirements. 

Whether raising a child, planning a trip, or just catching up on adult boosters, knowing what’s recommended and covered can save you time, money, and stress. 

If you’re unsure what’s next, talk to your doctor about your immunization schedule and ask which vaccines might be due.