Protects vaccination – is your vaccination protection still current?

When was the last time you looked into your vaccination card? Many people think about vaccination first on children. But even in adulthood, vaccinations are important. They can protect against serious infectious diseases and help reduce the spread of certain pathogens.

The nationwide vaccination action week from 9 to 15. November 2026 draws attention to the importance of good vaccination protection. It offers a good reason to have your own vaccination status checked.

Why are vaccinations so important?

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases. They prepare the immune system to detect and fight certain pathogens.

If the body comes into contact with such a pathogen later, the immune system can react faster. This can prevent a disease or reduce the risk of a severe course.

Vaccination not only protects your own health. In some infectious diseases, vaccination can also help to reduce the spread of pathogens. This particularly benefits people who cannot be vaccinated themselves or for whom vaccination is less effective.

What vaccinations do I need?

Which vaccinations are recommended depends, among other things, on the age, health status and personal life situation.

In Germany, the Permanent Vaccination Commission (STIKO) develops the vaccination recommendations. It assesses scientific findings on the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations.

Some vaccinations are already carried out in childhood. Others need to be refreshed regularly. For certain age groups or people with pre-existing conditions, additional vaccinations are recommended. Examples are vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough or flu.

Well protected when travelling – which vaccinations make sense?

Anyone planning a trip abroad should have their own vaccination protection checked in time. Depending on the destination, additional vaccinations may be useful or even prescribed.

On the website www.tropeninstitut.de find information on recommended vaccinations, possible health risks and preventive measures for different travel countries. In addition, the site provides an overview of travel medical doctors and yellow fever vaccination centres in Germany. Inform yourself early and get individual medical advice before your trip.

Is your vaccine protection still current?

In everyday life, the own vaccination protection is easily forgotten. It makes sense to have the vaccination certificate checked regularly.

You can do that:

1. Find out vaccination passport: Check which vaccinations are documented with you.

2. Get vaccination status checked: Your GP’s office can determine whether vaccinations should be missing or refreshed.

3. Missing vaccinations: Even if a vaccination is longer ago, missing vaccinations can usually be made up.

You no longer have a vaccination certificate or do not know which vaccinations you have received? Talk to your family doctor about it.

Where can I get vaccinated?

Vaccinations are usually carried out in medical practices. Some pharmacies also offer certain vaccinations, for example against flu and COVID-19.

Are you looking for a pharmacy that offers vaccinations? On HealthSocial.digital you can search specifically for pharmacies in your area that have appropriate vaccination offers. Here it goes directly to the search results.

Where can I get advice on vaccination?

If you have any questions about your vaccination protection, you can contact your family doctor's office. The health office of the district of Lörrach also offers vaccination consultations. Adults can seek advice on general vaccination issues and recommended travel vaccinations. For questions about child vaccinations, the Children and Youth Health Service is available.

Contact with the Lörrach Health Office:

• E-mail: gesundheit@loerrach-landkreis.de

• Telephone: 07621 410-2101 or -2102

Who will pay for vaccination costs?

The statutory health insurance companies cover the costs for many recommended vaccinations. Which vaccinations are paid for is regulated in the preventive vaccination directive. For additional vaccinations, for example for private trips abroad, the cost coverage depends on the respective health insurance. It is therefore worthwhile to ask in advance which costs are covered.

Are vaccinations safe? What side effects can occur?

Vaccinations can protect against serious infectious diseases. As with other medical measures, however, side effects can also occur with vaccinations.

Frequent reactions after vaccination include:

• Pain, redness or swelling at the puncture site

• Fatigue or headache

• Slight fever or muscle and limb pain

These complaints are usually mild and resolve themselves after a short time. They may be a sign that the immune system is dealing with the vaccine. Serious side effects are rare but can occur. What side effects can occur and how common they are depends on the respective vaccine.

Before a vaccine is approved, its effectiveness, quality and safety are carefully considered. Monitoring of adverse effects shall continue after authorisation.

Anyone who is uncertain or has questions about possible side effects should seek medical advice. Personal risk factors and pre-existing conditions can also be considered.

Well informed decide

There is a lot of information on the Internet about vaccinations. Not all are reliable. Therefore, pay attention to who publishes the information and whether it is based on scientific evidence.

Would you like to know more about vaccinations or are still unsure whether you should get vaccinated?

Here click here for the article “Should I get vaccinated?”.

There you will find more information about the advantages and possible disadvantages of vaccinations. So you can inform yourself well and clarify open questions during a medical consultation.

Now check your own vaccine protection

Use your next visit to get your vaccination status checked. So you can clarify together which vaccinations are useful and recommended for you. Because a good vaccination protection is important at any age.