Brady Collins
Germany has been administering coronavirus vaccines since 2020, with the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine being the first to be approved in the EU. Other vaccines that have been approved in Germany include Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen. The German government has assured the public that the coronavirus vaccine is not mandatory and will be free for everyone, regardless of their health insurance coverage status. Germany is also home to BioNTech, the company that developed the first widely used mRNA-based vaccine in partnership with Pfizer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of coronavirus vaccinations in Germany | 127.7 million |
| Start date of vaccination campaign | End of December 2020 |
| Vaccination cost | Free |
| Vaccination type | Voluntary |
| Vaccination centers | 60 special vaccination centers |
| Vaccination age group | People over the age of 12, children aged 5-11, babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 4 years |
| Number of doses | 3 doses |
| Vaccination locations | Doctor's office, some pharmacies |
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What You'll Learn
Germany's vaccination rollout began in December 2020
Germany's vaccination rollout for the coronavirus began in December 2020. The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was the first to be approved for use in Germany, with the country's health ministry creating 60 special vaccination centres to ensure proper storage temperatures. The vaccination programme aimed to achieve "basic immunity" against coronavirus, which is attained through three contacts with the coronavirus pathogen, at least one of which should be via vaccination.
The initial rollout of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was followed by the approval of the Moderna vaccine by the FDA in the US, and later, the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Germany also provided funding to BioNTech and CureVac to accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Since the start of the vaccination campaign, around 127.7 million coronavirus vaccinations have been administered in Germany. Vaccinations are free and voluntary, and can be obtained at vaccination centres, mobile vaccination teams, and in some cases, pharmacies.
The German government has also recommended booster shots to enhance immune responses and combat emerging variants. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), responsible for managing infectious diseases in Germany, has advised that boosters should be received at least 12 months after the last vaccination or infection, depending on the prevalent viral variant. The choice of vaccine for the booster is recommended to be adapted to the viral variants in the region. As of January 2024, the current variant in Germany is XBB.1.5, and approved booster vaccines include Comirnaty Original and Comirnaty XBB.1.5 (BioNTech/Pfizer), and Spikevax (Moderna).
The safety, efficacy, and pharmaceutical quality of vaccines are critical factors in their approval for use in Germany. The STIKO (Standing Committee on Vaccination) assesses the benefit-risk ratio, epidemiology, and the effects of a nationwide vaccination strategy. Additionally, the PEI (Paul Ehrlich Institute) evaluates the safety of vaccines and continuously monitors reports of suspected side effects or complications.
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Vaccinations are free and voluntary
Germany has been administering coronavirus vaccinations since late December 2020, after the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was approved in the EU. Vaccinations are free and voluntary in Germany. This was in response to the German government's assurance to the public that any coronavirus vaccine would be voluntary. The German government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer stated, "The government is accused of secretly plotting to introduce mandatory vaccination. There will be no obligatory vaccination against the coronavirus."
In the initial coronavirus vaccine rollouts of 2020 and 2021, anyone in Germany could get vaccinated regardless of their health insurance coverage status. This was to ensure that the maximum number of people in the country could reach "basic immunity". Basic immunity to coronavirus is achieved through three contacts with the coronavirus pathogen, through vaccination or infection, but at least one of these contacts should be via vaccination.
Different statutory health insurance providers and private health insurance providers have different policies when it comes to vaccinations they will cover. Your Krankenkasse will cover the costs of an annual booster vaccination if your doctor considers it medically necessary for you to have one. You can get a first coronavirus vaccine, booster, or annual Auffrischungsimpfung at your doctor's office (Hausarzt) in Germany. It is also possible to get vaccinated at some pharmacies, but not all.
Despite the voluntary nature of the vaccination program, some German politicians have indicated that a coronavirus vaccine mandate may be necessary to control the pandemic. Thomas Bareiss, a member of Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, has stated that the worsening situation in Germany makes it clear that mandatory coronavirus vaccinations will be "unavoidable". He acknowledged that while the decision not to mandate vaccines initially was understandable, it was wrong in retrospect. Bareiss emphasised the unfairness of industries and individuals bearing the brunt of restrictions while others refuse to vaccinate.
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The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was the first to be approved
The BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Comirnaty, was the first coronavirus vaccine to be approved for use in Germany. The vaccine was developed by German company BioNTech in partnership with Pfizer Inc. In December 2020, the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was approved for emergency use in the UK, making it the first country to do so. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave the vaccine rapid temporary regulatory approval to address the pandemic. The United Kingdom thus became the first Western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for national use.
The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was also the first COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized by a stringent regulatory authority for emergency use and the first to be approved for regular use. In August 2021, the vaccine became the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine has also been approved for use in Canada, Switzerland, and the European Union.
The development of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was expedited with funding from the German government, which provided $745 million to biotech firms BioNTech and CureVac to speed up work on COVID-19 vaccines. The German health ministry also established 60 special vaccination centres to ensure the vaccines could be stored at the proper temperature.
In Germany, coronavirus vaccinations are free and voluntary. The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine requires two doses to be effective, with the second dose administered three weeks after the first. The vaccine has also been approved for use in children aged 5 to 11, and as a booster for adults over 65 and those aged 5 to 64 with underlying conditions.
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The new vaccine is safe for almost every age group
Germany has been administering coronavirus vaccines since 2020, with the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine being the first to be approved in the EU. This vaccine is administered in two doses. Since January 2021, the Moderna vaccine has also been approved in Germany. Other vaccines that have been administered in Germany include AstraZeneca and Janssen.
In autumn 2024, Germany is expected to receive a new coronavirus vaccine. This vaccine is safe for almost every age group. It can be received in three doses and can be administered as a first vaccine or a booster. It has been developed to provide better protection against the JN.1 Omicron variant and its subvariant, KP.3, which is currently the dominant variant in Germany. The new vaccine is safe for people over the age of 12, children between the ages of 5 and 11, and babies and toddlers between 6 months and 4 years old.
In Germany, the costs of an annual booster vaccination are covered by the Krankenkasse if a doctor considers it medically necessary. Vaccines can be obtained at a doctor's office or at some pharmacies.
Germany has been at the forefront of vaccine development, with the German company BioNTech, in partnership with Pfizer, developing the first widely used vaccine. The active ingredient in this vaccine is messenger RNA (mRNA), which contains the instructions for human cells to construct a harmless piece of the coronavirus called the spike protein. The human immune system recognizes this spike protein as foreign and can mount a response against the virus upon infection.
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Anti-vaccine groups are highly active and aggressive
Anti-vaccine groups have become increasingly vocal and aggressive in Germany, as in other countries. In December 2021, German police foiled a plot by anti-vaccination activists to murder the state premier of Saxony. This incident was one of several that highlighted the anger of some Germans over restrictions on the unvaccinated and plans to make vaccinations compulsory. Saxony has one of Germany's lowest vaccination rates, and it is a stronghold of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which includes many vaccine sceptics and anti-lockdown protesters.
Anti-vaccine groups have a long history, with the first organised group, the British "National Anti-Vaccination League," forming in 1866. In recent years, such groups have spread misinformation and fuelled fears about vaccines, particularly online. This has contributed to vaccine hesitancy and opposition, which the World Health Organization identified as a global health threat in 2019.
In Germany, anti-vaccine groups have targeted politicians, media outlets, and public institutions with threats of violence. For example, a vaccination centre in Saxony was the target of an arson attack, and a group of protesters gathered outside the home of Saxony's health minister holding lit torches. German police have conducted raids on suspected anti-vaccine activists and found evidence of crossbows and firearms.
The reasons for opposing vaccination vary among anti-vaccine groups. Some are sceptical of the effectiveness of vaccines, while others believe that big pharmaceutical companies are motivated by profit rather than public health. Some groups cannot afford vaccines, while others have strict religious beliefs that conflict with vaccination.
To address vaccine hesitancy and encourage immunization, healthcare workers and authorities need to provide clear, concise, and trusted information about the health benefits of vaccination. They should also direct people to reliable online resources, such as those offered by the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, which provide easy-to-understand information about available vaccines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Germany has several coronavirus vaccines available. The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine was the first to be approved, with other vaccines also being approved since.
Yes, coronavirus vaccinations in Germany are free.
No, coronavirus vaccinations in Germany are not mandatory and the government has assured the public that any vaccine would be voluntary. However, there have been indications from politicians that a vaccine mandate may be necessary to move past the pandemic.
You can get a coronavirus vaccine or booster at your doctor's office (Hausarzt) in Germany. It may also be possible to get vaccinated at some pharmacies.
