Vaccination

What is a vaccination?

Everyone has an immune system. The immune system protects people from pathogens.

There are various ways in which the immune system protects people. For example, the formation of antibodies. Or the formation of memory cells. Memory cells recognize the pathogens even after years and fight them quickly.

The immune system therefore learns to react to certain pathogens. There is a targeted defense against the pathogens in the body. This is also how vaccinations work.

A vaccination is therefore protection against contagious diseases. Contagious diseases are also called infectious diseases.

During a vaccination, small amounts of pathogens are introduced into the body. For example, through an injection. These pathogens are weakened or killed. This is why the body does not become ill. But it still forms antibodies and memory cells.

This then protects you from the disease.

A vaccination therefore makes the immune system strong against the disease. The body can then better defend itself against the disease.

Some vaccinations are particularly intensive. They help the body for life after just one vaccination. With other vaccinations, people have to be vaccinated several times. Only then does the vaccination help.

Some diseases also change very quickly. Then the vaccine has to be adapted again and again.

That’s why you have to have some vaccinations again and again. This is called a booster. The body can then fight the changed disease.

Why should you get vaccinated?

We come into contact with many bacteria and viruses every day. Most of the time they have little or no effect on us.

But there are also pathogens that can cause serious illnesses. A vaccination can protect against them. So you can protect yourself with a vaccination.

But a vaccination often protects other people too. Infection is prevented. So there is community protection. This is also called herd immunity.

There are people who cannot get vaccinated themselves. That is why community protection is important. Some illnesses can then even be completely prevented.

How do you find out when which vaccination is due?

There is the Standing Committee on Vaccination. It is called Stiko for short. Stiko recommends suitable times for vaccinations.

There is a “vaccination calendar”. The vaccination calendar shows in which order partial vaccinations are good. And when a booster vaccination should be given.

Children often get many vaccinations. Especially against childhood diseases. This is usually offered during an early detection examination.

All vaccinations are recorded in the vaccination record. The doctor should check your vaccination record regularly.

This is particularly important if you have been injured. Or if you are traveling. It is also a good idea to check your vaccination record during major waves of illness. The vaccination record must always be up to date.

You may miss a vaccination. Then it may be that you are not properly protected against the disease. Then the protection may not be as strong. Or the protection may not be fully there.

Vaccinations should then be caught up on quickly. Even if the gap between vaccinations is already very long, this is often possible.

As a rule, every vaccination counts. But a complete vaccination is important. Only then will you have safe and long-lasting protection.

Talk to your doctor about it. The doctor will know whether a vaccination is still missing. He will check your vaccination record. If a vaccination is missing, the doctor will make up for it.

Always take your vaccination record with you to the doctor. The vaccination will then be entered directly. You can also have the vaccination added later if you forget your vaccination record.

When do you have to pay for vaccinations yourself?

Some vaccinations are recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination. The health insurance company covers the costs for these vaccinations.

Other vaccinations are only paid for if there is a reason for doing so.

Perhaps you want to go on holiday to another country. Sometimes it is a good idea to get vaccinated against additional diseases. You usually have to pay for such vaccinations yourself.

Talk to your doctor about this in good time. He can advise you.