Public figures in the United Kingdom and the United States have made flu vaccination visible, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who received his jab on camera, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was seen wearing a “I got my flu shot” badge. In Germany, however, vaccination rates are moving in the opposite direction.
According to figures reported by Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 34% of people aged 60 and older in Germany were vaccinated against influenza in 2025. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s public health agency, says that is the lowest level in 17 years.
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Who Is Recommended To Get A Flu Vaccine?
RKI recommendations include annual flu vaccination for people aged 60 and over, people with chronic illnesses, residents of care homes, medical staff, pregnant women, and people whose work brings them into contact with certain animals, including pigs and poultry.
Older adults are encouraged to get vaccinated before winter. Germany also recommends pneumococcal vaccination for older people, along with immunisation against herpes zoster, or shingles. Adults should discuss whether vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is appropriate for them with a doctor.
For more information, see the Robert Koch Institute and its guidance on pneumococcal disease, shingles vaccination and RSV.
Who Should Consider Another Covid-19 Vaccination?
Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for people aged 75 and older and for people in higher-risk groups, including those with weakened immune systems and healthcare workers. Pregnant women with additional health risks may also be advised to get vaccinated.
Eligibility recommendations affect reimbursement: people covered by statutory health insurance may not have the cost of a Covid-19 vaccination covered in every circumstance. Anyone unsure about their eligibility should check with their insurer or healthcare provider.
RKI figures indicate that, in 2025, 16% of people aged 60 and older in Germany received a Covid-19 vaccination.
Germany Requires Measles Protection In Certain Settings
Germany’s childhood vaccination schedule covers diseases including tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, measles, rubella and mumps. It also includes guidance on RSV immunisation for babies and young children. The RKI vaccination calendar sets out the schedule.
Under Germany’s Measles Protection Act, children must provide proof of vaccination or immunity before starting nursery or school. The requirement also applies to people born after 1970 who work in childcare or healthcare facilities.
The importance of maintaining vaccination coverage has been underscored by rising measles cases in several countries. Recent reporting has highlighted measles outbreaks across Europe and a surge in cases in the United States.
Research Into Wider Effects Of Vaccination
Vaccines are designed to protect against specific infections, but researchers are also studying whether some may have broader effects. Areas of investigation include whether flu vaccination can reduce cardiovascular complications and whether certain vaccines could influence dementia risk. These questions remain under study and should not be treated as established benefits.
Deutsches Ärzteblatt has reported on research into so-called heterologous, or non-specific, effects. The term describes the possibility that a vaccine’s interaction with the immune system may affect responses to other pathogens or diseases. Further research is needed to clarify the extent and significance of these effects.
