European Vaccination Week: Every vaccination counts!
Vaccination protects not only the individual but also unvaccinated people from infection, as the further spread of a disease can be restricted, stopped or reduced. For example, in the interest of community protection, measles vaccination for children before they enter a community facility such as a kindergarten or school is legally obligatory. In addition, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends the following vaccinations.
These vaccinations are in the vaccination card
The following vaccinations are listed as standard vaccinations for children up to the age of 7:
- Rotaviruses: the most common causative agent of gastrointestinal infections
- Tetanus: Wundstarrkrampf
- Diphtheria: Bacterial disease of the airways, also known as a sore throat
- Pertussis: whooping cough
- Poliomyelitis: poliomyelitis
- H. influenzae type b: severe form of meningitis
- Meningococci: causative agent of severe meningitis
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Varicella: Herpes viruses that  cause chickenpox , for example
Vaccination against the HP virus (HPV), which is often responsible for cervical cancer and other types of cancer, is also recommended for boys and girls aged 9 to 14 years.
vaccination in adults
Certain vaccinations must be refreshed after a certain period of time in order to continue to guarantee vaccination protection. The flu shot is given every year, while tetanus, for example, should only be boosted every ten years.
Adult vaccinations should be boosted regularly:
- diphtheria
- Tetanus (Wundstarrkrampf)
- Pertussis (whooping cough, at the next due vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus)
For people over 60 years of age, further vaccinations are recommended for their own protection:
- Pneumococci  (bacteria  that can cause lung infections )
- Herpes zoster  (shingles)
- Influenza (Grippe)
The measles vaccine is currently the only mandatory vaccine. Nevertheless, it is advisable to carry out the listed standard vaccinations after consulting your family doctor or pediatrician. Special travel vaccinations such as rabies or malaria are recommended before traveling to tropical and third world countries. In addition, from mid-June the prioritization of corona vaccinations should be lifted and a vaccination offer should be available for every German. This vaccination could also become a requirement for entry into some countries.
