Vaccinations

Vaccinations are among the most important and effective preventive measures available in medicine. The immediate goal of a vaccine is to protect the vaccinated person against an infectious disease.

Measles Vaccination

People born after 1970 with only one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine or without childhood vaccination should get another dose of the MMR vaccine.

Tick-Borne-Encephalitis (TBE) Vaccination

People who are exposed to ticks in TBE risk areas, including Darmstadt, the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, Bergstraße and Groß-Gerau, should receive basic immunisation consisting of three doses, which is also recommended for children. It is administered at intervals of 0, 1–3 months and 9–12 months.

A booster is required after three to five years depending on the age of the person being vaccinated.

Flu Vaccination

All individuals from the age of 60

Children, adolescents and adults at increased risk due to an underlying condition

All pregnant women from the second trimester

People at increased risk, e.g. medical professionals, people working in facilities with high public traffic, nursing homes

Annual vaccination should be performed in the autumn using an up-to-date vaccine recommended by the WHO.

Tetanus Vaccination

This is recommended for all individuals who have received fewer than three doses as part of the primary vaccination series or whose most recent booster was over 10 years ago.

Thereafter, a booster is required every 10 years.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccination

As of now, we will be offering booster vaccinations using the Comirnaty vaccine from BioNTech, which has been newly adapted to target the current variant.

This applies to all individuals over 60 years of age who have not had a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the last 12 months or who have not been vaccinated.

Seasonal influenza (flu) and pneumococcal vaccinations can also be administered during the same appointment, provided an indication exists.

Shingles Vaccination (Herpes Zoster)

This vaccination is recommended by the RKI for all individuals over the age of 50, even if they have already had shingles.

The costs are covered by health insurance.

Two doses are necessary. The second dose is administered 2–6 months after the first dose. No booster is planned.

Possible side effects in 10 out of 100 vaccinations include fever, tiredness, muscle aches and headaches, which usually disappear after 1–2 days.

Vaccination Against Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

A vaccination against human papillomavirus is strongly recommended for girls and boys to protect against cancers. It is administered in a series of three doses (at intervals of 0, 2, and 6 months). The vaccination should be administered between the ages of 9 and 14, and no later than the age of 17.