Information concerning Coronavirus vaccination

by the Federal Ministry of Health as of December 21, 2020

• The coronavirus vaccination is voluntary and available to all citizens free of charge.
• Vaccines will be administered in phases: People who are at greatest risk must
  be protected first. The goal is, of course, to gradually ensure equal access to
  coronavirus vaccination for all.
• Priority is given to vaccinating people who are at particularly high risk of
  developing a severe or fatal case of the disease, and those with a particularly
  high job-related risk of becoming infected themselves or of infecting people
  in need of protection.
• The coronavirus vaccines available in Germany undergo a centralised approval process which is coordinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and are evaluated by experts belonging to the national medical authorities, such as the Paul Ehrlich Institute. Approval of a Covid-19 vaccine is granted in compliance with all regulations and provisions which apply for the approval of a vaccine for use in the European Union (EU). One of the prerequisites is a positive risk-benefit ratio. Before the vaccines can be used, the Paul Ehrlich Institute checks their quality, efficacy and safety, and confirms these by officially releasing the batch for use.

Coronavirus vaccination in vaccination centres

• The usual coronavirus hygiene rules also apply in vaccination centres. Please keep your distance from others, wash or disinfect your hands and cover your mouth and nose. The vaccination centre will be kept well ventilated at all times.
• Protect yourself, your loved ones and the community in which you live. Vaccination is not mandatory. However, coronavirus vaccination is strongly
  recommended for your own protection and to help us find a way out of the pandemic.
• Please note: For full protection against the coronavirus, you will need to be vaccinated twice.
• Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommendations: In the beginning, there will not be enough vaccine available for all. This is why vaccinations will be administered in a phased approach: People who are especially vulnerable will be vaccinated first. The goal is, of course, to gradually ensure equal access to coronavirus vaccination for all. Priority will be given to people with an especially high risk of developing a serious or fatal case of Covid-19 and also to people with a particularly high job-related risk of becoming infected themselves or of infecting people in need of protection.

Eligibility for vaccination

Whether you are eligible for vaccination in the start-up phase largely depends on your care situation, your age and the work you perform in the healthcare sector. Please have your vaccination pass (Impfpass), your ID card or other form of personal identification with you and, where applicable, an attestation from your employer.

• ID is required to determine your age. Older people have a significantly higher risk of developing a serious or fatal case of Covid-19. This is why they will be vaccinated first.
• An employer attestation is needed to determine your occupational group. Staff in healthcare and long-term care institutions have a great job-related risk of becoming infected themselves or of infecting those in their care. They are also entitled to be vaccinated in the start-up phase.

Passing through the 6 stations at vaccination centres

1. Vaccination entitlement check and registration

Nice to see you. When checking in, please register and have your vaccination entitlement checked.

2. Waiting and information area

While in the waiting area, you can watch an informational film before seeing a doctor who informs you about the vaccination process in more detail.

3. Medical consultation

The informational film gives you a lot of important information. You will also receive an info sheet and a consent form. Please read both documents carefully. Next you will have the opportunity to speak to a doctor and receive advice about health-related issues concerning coronavirus vaccination. You can also ask any questions you may have. At the end of the consultation, please sign both the info sheet and the consent form. You will receive a signed copy of each to take home.
Info sheet: What exactly is Covid-19, what are the typical symptoms and why is it so dangerous? How does the vaccine work, how does it behave once in the body and how effective is it? What do I need to consider before and after the vaccination? What vaccine reactions and side-effects could occur? The info sheet provides answers to the most important questions concerning coronavirus vaccination.
Consent form: You fill in the form to provide information about your state of health, previous vaccinations and any allergies you may have. The doctor administering the vaccination may also ask questions in response to the information you provide. By signing the form, you expressly consent to receiving a coronavirus vaccination.

4. Vaccination

Time to roll up your sleeve and receive the jab. You’re about to be vaccinated. The coronavirus vaccinations are administered by specially trained healthcare staff. The vaccination will be documented in your vaccination pass (Impfpass), noting the batch number and various other information. If you don’t have a vaccination pass, you will receive a substitute confirmation letter.

5. Post-vaccination observation

Once you have been vaccinated, you will be shown to a separate waiting area where you will remain under medical observation for a short period of time. To participate in the survey on Covid-19 vaccine tolerability, use the Paul Ehrlich Institute’s SafeVac 2.0-App app (available from the Apple App Store or from Google Play). You can report any side-effects you may have via the app. You should also report any side-effects to your doctor, who will examine your symptoms and conduct any further tests. Side-effects can also be reported via the Paul Ehrlich Institute website, to your local pharmacist or the vaccine manufacturer, who will then report symptoms that could be related to the vaccine to the central authorities.

6. Check-out and second vaccination appointment

You have now received your first dose of coronavirus vaccine. Please note that you need a second dose and that full protection is only achieved two or three weeks after the second vaccination. Please take your vaccination pass (Impfpass) or the substitute confirmation letter with you to the second appointment. And at all times, please ensure that you follow the coronavirus hygiene rules – keep your distance from others, wash or disinfect your hands and cover your mouth and nose.