Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential preventive health measures covered by statutory health insurance providers. People with statutory health insurance are entitled to vaccinations. Special vaccinations for private or work travel abroad are excluded. However, some health insurance funds also cover these travel vaccinations.

• Vaccinations protect the vaccinated against infectious diseases for which there are no or limited treatment options, and which can be severe. Examples: measles, meningitis, hepatitis, tetanus, and whooping cough.
• They protect the unborn child by helping to prevent harm from infections during pregnancy. Example: rubella.
• They protect against the spread of infections in the population, as long as enough people are vaccinated.

These vaccinations are always paid for by statutory health insurance

Standard vaccinations for infants, children, and adolescents

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Poliomyelitis (polio)
• Haemophilus influenzae type B
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Varicella
• Pneumococcal infection
• Meningococcal infection
• HPV (human papilloma virus for young women)
• Rotaviruses
• Corona

Booster vaccinations for children and adolescents

• 2 x diphtheria
• 2 x tetanus
• 2 x pertussis (whooping cough)
• 1 x poliomyelitis
• Polio
• Corona

Pregnant women

Pertussis (whooping cough). Health insurance companies pay for vaccination of pregnant women and people in the immediate vicinity of the pregnant woman.

Statutory health insurance companies pay for these vaccinations under certain conditions

• Cholera: only in exceptional cases (e.g. work trip to a country that requires the vaccination)
• Diphtheria: at the ages of 2, 3, and 4, and between 11 and 14 month of age. Booster vaccination every 10 years
• TBE (tick-borne encephalitis): only for people living in risk areas, not for vacation trips
• Yellow fever: only in exceptional cases (e.g. work trip to a country that requires the vaccination)
• Shingles: for all persons over the age of 60, and persons over the age of 50 with increased health risk
• Haemophilus influenzae type B: at the ages of 2, 3, and 4, and between 11 and 14 months of age, or later if risk factors are present
• Hepatitis A (HA): in cases of sexual practices with a high risk of infection, and for certain risk groups (for example, people who frequently handle blood components, employees in welfare institutions, asylum seeker homes, etc)
• Hepatitis B (HB): at ages 2, 3, and 4, and between 11 to 14 months of age, and for at-risk groups
• HPV (protection against cervical cancer): girls between 12 and 17 years of age, boys between 9 and 14 years of age
• Influenza (protection against the flu): standard vaccination from age 60, and for risk groups
• Measles: 11 to 14 months of age, before the second birthday, and for risk groups
• Meningococcus: immunization in the second year of life, as well as for risk groups (especially during longer work/ study-related stays abroad)
• Mumps: 11 to 14 months of age, before the second birthday, as well as for risk groups (especially people with frequent contact with children)
• Pertussis: at ages 2, 3, and 4, and between 11 and 14 months of age. Booster at age 5-6 and between 9 and 17 years. In some cases, also for women trying to conceive, as well as other persons who have frequent contact with newborns
• Pneumococcal: At ages 2, 3, and, 4 and between 11 and 14 months of age. Repeat vaccination for persons over 60 years of age, and for risk groups (for example, people with immunodeficiency, chronic diseases)
• Poliomyeltitis: At ages 2, 3, and 4, and between 11 and 14 months of age. 

Booster vaccination between 9 and 17 years of age. Renewed entitlement for all who have not been vaccination, and if risk factors are present (especially if traveling abroad or having contact with people from polio risk areas).

• Rubella: Between 11 and 14 months of age, and before the second birthday. Also for risk groups (especially those with contact with small children)
• Tetanus: At ages 2, 3, and 4, and between 11 and 14 months of age. Booster at age 5-6 years and between 9 and 17 years. Every 10 years thereafter
• Rabies: Only for work/ study-related travel to risk areas
• Tuberculosis: Currently no vaccination
• Typhoid fever: Only for work/ study-related travel to risk areas
• Varicella: Between 11 and 14 months of age, and before the second birthday. Standard vaccination for unprotected children between 9 and 17 years with no history of varicella. Also for high-risk groups (for example, persons with frequent contact with young children or with severe neurodermatitis)