Many dangerous diseases such as smallpox or diphtheria are nowadays only known from history books. This has made many citizens careless about vaccinations. Yet many diseases have only lost their horror thanks to vaccinations. But contagious diseases against which vaccination protects still exist. The pathogens of mumps, measles, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus or polio are still common.
In unvaccinated children and adults or in immunocompromised people, these pathogens can lead to severe illnesses with damage such as paralysis, disruption of brain function, blindness and deafness, and even death. The desire to travel also poses risks of infection. Therefore, protect yourself and your family from infections on time. Take advantage of the voluntary opportunity for vaccination, even as an adult.
Remember that some vaccinations need to be boostered again to maintain protection. You can get more information from us in the practice – just talk to us at your next visit.
Your initiative matters
There is no compulsory vaccination in Germany. If you want to take care of your own health and that of your children, you have to act yourself. We will be happy to advise you on which vaccinations are necessary and when.
The recommendations of the German Permanent Vaccination Commission (STIKO) and of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) include all vaccinations necessary for vaccination protection. The vaccines used are subject to constant monitoring.
With some infectious diseases, the body needs multiple bursts to build up sufficient protection. For others, regular booster vaccinations in adolescence or adulthood are necessary to maintain lifelong protection. Help ensure that full vaccination protection is built up and maintained.
Keep your vaccination book well
In order to be able to check your vaccination protection, we need your vaccination book or a vaccination certificate. These documents should be kept as carefully as your ID. Then we can check the vaccination protection without any problems.
All vaccinations and also most travel vaccinations can be carried out at our clinic. As a rule, health insurance companies cover the costs of the most important vaccinations. Exception: Travel vaccinations must be paid for privately.
Vaccination protection for children
Vaccinations for the infant start from the age of two months. These are the vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio (poliomyelitis), bacterial meningitis caused by haemophilus bacteria (Hib) and hepatitis B. These vaccinations can be carried out with combination vaccines as a six-fold vaccination, so that only one injection is necessary four times each.
From the age of eleven months, vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella) are added. Combination vaccines can also be used in these cases. Spare your child these “childhood diseases”. Because these diseases, which are by no means harmless, can lead to dangerous complications with serious damage to health.
For infants, children and adolescents who suffer from certain underlying diseases, pneumococcal or influenza vaccination is also important. For unvaccinated children and adolescents, protection against chickenpox and hepatitis B should be considered. In girls, it is necessary to check the protection against rubella in view of a later pregnancy.
Today, the vaccines are so well tolerated that no one should take the risk of exposing their child to the danger of a life-threatening infection. The vaccination calendar tells you at what age the individual vaccinations should be carried out. Vaccinations that have not been given can be made up at any time.
Vaccination for adults
Vaccination is not kids’ stuff. Often the booster vaccinations are missing. For example, many adults are not adequately protected against diphtheria and tetanus. The STIKO recommends a booster every ten years with a combination vaccine. Even if the basic immunisation was given some time ago, a booster vaccination is sufficient.
Children’s diseases such as measles can also infect adults. In adults, these diseases are much more severe and often associated with complications. For example, mumps can lead to infertility in men. Rubella in pregnancy causes severe disabilities in the unborn child. So don’t take missing vaccinations lightly. Talk to us about a booster.
In late summer it is important to think about the annual influenza vaccination in good time. Elderly persons or chronically ill persons should not miss the pneumococcal vaccination. You may also be eligible for an early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME) vaccination. Certain occupational groups or persons with an increased risk of infection should think about hepatitis A and B vaccination and rabies vaccination.
Booster and booster vaccinations as well as vaccinations for work-related stays abroad are usually paid for by the health insurance funds. Your employer must reimburse you for job-related vaccinations.
Protection for the most beautiful time of the year
Destination, travel duration, travel style and your vaccination status – this is the information we need to be able to create an individual vaccination plan for your next holiday.
Most vaccinations are voluntary. These include, for example, the TBE vaccination, the hepatitis A and B vaccinations, the vaccination against polio and rabies or the typhoid vaccination when travelling abroad.
In some cases, there are recommendations from the countries of entry, as with the meningococcal vaccination. Other vaccinations, for example against cholera or yellow fever, are required by the country of entry or transit.
The costs for travel vaccinations are not covered by the statutory health insurance funds. Don’t shy away from spending money on voluntary vaccinations. Your health should be worth it to you.
There is currently no absolutely safe prevention against malaria. You should therefore maintain strict food hygiene and keep mosquitoes at bay when travelling long distances.
It is important that you take this into account early on when planning your trip. But protection is often still possible even for last-minute trips.