Since December 27, citizens in Germany have been vaccinated against the corona virus. There are many questions about the new vaccine and the vaccination process, which we will answer here.
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Who is entitled to a corona vaccination?
Statutory or privately insured persons as well as people who have their domicile or habitual abode in Germany are entitled. Also people who are cared for and cared for in a medical facility in Germany or who work. Germans who work in a medical facility abroad are also entitled. Germans who live abroad can be vaccinated in Germany if you have German statutory or private health insurance.
Since the vaccines are initially available in limited quantities, risk groups are vaccinated with the highest priority . The following documents must be presented as proof: ID card or another photo ID, a medical certificate of your increased need due to your illness, a certificate from your employer or a certificate from a facility regarding the treatment, care or nursing of this person and a certificate that you have a close are the contact person of a person in need of care or who is pregnant.
When can I get vaccinated against Covid-19?
The population has been divided into different groups based on the vaccination recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Committee at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Prioritization is necessary because initially there is not enough vaccine available to vaccinate everyone. At the beginning, mainly risk groups are vaccinated, which are particularly endangered and have a higher risk of infection. This includes people over the age of 80 and residents of nursing homes, as well as staff in medical facilities and nursing homes for the elderly and elderly.
Where can I get vaccinated?
The corona vaccination will be administered in established vaccination centers and not by the family doctor in order to be able to vaccinate as many people as possible in the shortest possible time. Centers make sense from a logistical and organizational point of view, since the vaccines can be delivered and stored better. The distribution of the vaccine can also be better tracked. In total there will be over 400 vaccination centers in Germany. Mobile vaccination teams are sent to care facilities such as retirement homes to vaccinate residents.
How do the corona vaccinations work in the vaccination center?
The visit to the vaccination center will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes. When registering at the vaccination center, those wishing to be vaccinated must identify themselves and present their proof of entitlement. You will then be informed by a doctor about the vaccination, the risks and side effects . You will also need to fill out a health questionnaire before you get vaccinated. Vaccination is carried out by medical staff in individual cabins. You will then come to an observation area in order to be able to react directly to possible complications such as allergic reactions. The vaccination centers are spacious and laid out in the form of “vaccination streets” in order to keep distances and reduce the risk of infection.
How are vaccination appointments made?
The federal states are responsible for the organization and operation of the vaccination centers and the allocation of appointments. With the help of the nationwide uniform telephone number 116117 of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, the appointments should be controlled, and there should also be the opportunity to set an appointment online. Further information for each federal state can be found on the website of the patient service 116117 .
How often do I need to be vaccinated?
The corona vaccination is given in two doses within three weeks. However, the Ministry of Health and the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute are currently examining whether a longer period of time (about 42 days) is possible in order to immunize more people more quickly. So far it is not certain how long the vaccination protection will be valid and whether the corona vaccination, like the flu vaccination, has to be refreshed annually.
Can I choose the vaccine?
No, it is not possible to choose the vaccine. However, it is important that the vaccination series that has been started must be continued with the same vaccine.
Is the Corona vaccination free?
Yes, the vaccinations are free. The cost of the vaccine will be borne by the federal government. The organization and operation of the vaccination centers is financed by statutory and private health insurance and the federal states.
How safe is the Covid-19 vaccine?
The vaccines against the coronavirus are considered very safe because the quality requirements in the European approval process are very high. Before approval , the vaccines were tested for their tolerability, safety and effectiveness in a three-stage study process.
What side effects can be expected after vaccination?
Classic, short-term vaccine reactions include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever . It is still unclear whether there may be rare long-term consequences from the vaccines. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) continues to check the vaccine for tolerability and records vaccination reactions in order to identify rare risks. To do this, you can report side effects to the PEI online. With the help of an app, the PEI would like to carry out an observational study on tolerability and collect further data on tolerability.
As a vaccinated person, do I still have to observe the hygiene rules?
Even after the corona vaccination, the hygiene and distance measures must still be observed, as it is not yet clear whether the vaccination will reduce or even completely prevent the transmission of the virus. This means that you must continue to wear mouth and nose protection, keep the minimum distance, pay attention to a cough and sneeze label and wash your hands regularly.
Is vaccination compulsory?
No, there is no compulsory vaccination against the coronavirus . In order to create herd immunity, 60 to 70 percent of the population would have to be vaccinated against Covid-19. However, it is advisable to be vaccinated in order to shorten chains of infection and to protect people who cannot be vaccinated.
