Vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

Vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases. They also make a significant contribution to the containment of pandemics. Since December 2020, Berliners can be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The vaccinations are free of charge for citizens, regardless of their health insurance status.

With the development and approval of various vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, numerous misleading and false claims about vaccination have been circulated. The fact check of the federal government provides information and clarifies the situation.

Every person who is insured in Germany in a statutory or private health insurance scheme is entitled to be vaccinated. The same applies to persons who have their domicile or usual place of residence in Germany or are employed in Germany. Children under 16 must also be accompanied by a legal guardian. Information on required documents will be provided on the Berlin Service Portal.

Basic immunization

The Standing Commission on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends basic immunization against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus for all persons of 5 years of age and older. Only in a few exceptions is vaccination not possible. As a rule, the basic immunization results from two vaccinations. The combination of one vaccination and one Covid-19 infection can also be considered as basic immunization. Further information can be found on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

First booster vaccination

In addition, the Stiko recommends a booster vaccination for all persons of twelve years of age and older. This should take place no earlier than six months after the basic immunization. In Berlin, mainly vaccines from Biontech and Moderna adapted to the Omicron variant are available for the booster vaccination. After the basic immunization with the vaccine Nuvaxovid from Novavmax, the booster vaccine for persons 18 years and older can be Nuvaxovid or Comirnaty from BioNTech/Pfizer. Furthermore, for individuals of 30 years of age and older, Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine can be used for the booster vaccination.

Second booster vaccination

A second booster vaccination is recommended for persons of 60 years of age and older and for persons at risk of severe illness due to a previous medical condition. In Berlin, vaccines from Biontech and Moderna adapted to the Omicron variants are available for the second booster vaccination. To date, only mRNA vaccines have been approved for booster vaccination. For individuals under 60 years of age who have no prior medical condition and have already had three immunologic events (vaccination or disease), no further vaccination is currently recommended. For more information, visit the Robert Koch Institute site.

The following vaccines are currently available in Berlin and Germany:

• mRNA vaccines
  • Comirnaty from Biontech. The vaccine adapted to Omicron is offered for booster vaccinations.
  • Spikevax by Moderna. The Omicron-adapted vaccine is offered for booster vaccines.
• Protein-based vaccines (dead vaccines).
  • Nuvaxovid from Novaovax. (Also available for booster vaccinations for persons 18 years of age and older who have been previously immunized with Nuvaxovid).
  • Valneva from Valneva. Currently, this vaccine is licensed for basic immunization only.

• Vaxzevria from Astrazeneca.
• Janssen from Johnson&Johnson
• Sputnik V

Due to the current development of the pandemic, the vaccination campaign of the Berlin Senate was terminated on December 31, 2022. For vaccinations after 01.01.2023, please contact your attending physician. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Berlin) has published a list of practices (in German) that offer vaccinations to persons who are not their regular patients.

The EU digital vaccination certificate is the easiest way to provide proof of a complete vaccination or booster shot and have it verified. This is a QR code issued by your vaccination center or the doctor who carried out the vaccination. The QR code can be scanned using various apps such as the Corona Warning app or the CovPass app – and stored in your smartphone. People who did not receive a vaccination certificate when they were vaccinated can have a certificate generated at the pharmacy. To do so, you have to show an identity card and the yellow vaccination certificate. The website https://www.mein-apothekenmanager.de/ lists pharmacies in Berlin that generate digital vaccination certificates.

Technical expiration date of the digital vaccination certificates

Vaccination certificates are subject to a technical validity period of 365 days in both the Corona Warning app and the CovPass app. To prove your vaccination status beyond this period, you must renew your certificate in a timely manner. You can update it yourself in the app.

Your app will inform you 28 days before the expiry date that your certificate is due to expire. Then you can update your vaccination certificate yourself using the “Renew certificates” function. You can do this up to 90 days after your certificate expires. You only need to renew your last vaccination certificate.

Compensation for vaccination damages

Anyone who suffers damage to their health (vaccination damages) as a result of an officially recommended vaccination or other specific officially recognized preventative treatment can apply for compensation under the German Vaccination Damages Act (IfSG). More information

Measures taken against the coronavirus

Overview of areas where the state of Berlin has taken measures to contain and control the coronavirus. More information