Flu vaccination

Information about the influenza vaccine

From early October to mid-May is flu season. A flu vaccination can protect you and others from infection and severe illness. Here you will find answers to all important questions about the flu vaccine.

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Flu vaccination – your benefits

By default, the flu vaccination is intended only for people aged 60 and over or those at increased risk. In addition, we fully cover the cost of the flu vaccination for all persons under 60 as part of the SBK additional benefits.

To make it easy, quick, and convenient for you to get vaccinated without long waiting times, we have made agreements allowing vaccinations to be carried out in pharmacies.

If the vaccination is offered at your workplace, we will also reimburse the costs in that case.

The expert team at the SBK health hotline is available around the clock to advise you if you have any questions about the influenza vaccination.

What is the flu?

The flu, also known as influenza, is an infectious disease caused by viruses. It can lead to high fever, severe headaches and body aches, and a dry, irritating cough. Unlike a common cold, the flu affects the entire body, and symptoms usually start suddenly and intensely.

How can I protect myself from the flu?

A flu vaccination can protect you from getting the flu or help reduce the severity of the illness. Another advantage of vaccination is that the more people get vaccinated, the more effectively the spread of the flu can be contained.

You can also reduce your risk of infection by following simple hygiene practices:

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands.

Wash your hands regularly.

Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.

Keep your distance from people who are ill.

Avoid handshakes and hugs.

Wear a face mask, especially when you are surrounded by many people.

Who is the flu vaccination recommended for?

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends an annual flu vaccination for the following groups of people:

People aged 60 years and older

As a so-called indication-based vaccination for:

Chronically ill individuals from the age of 6 months (e.g. those with respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, immunodeficiency, HIV, obesity (BMI ≥ 30))
Pregnant women
Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
People living in the same household with high-risk individuals or caring for high-risk individuals and who could potentially put them at risk
People with increased private exposure risk due to frequent, regular, and direct contact with pigs, poultry, wild birds, or seals. In this case, the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends annual vaccination in autumn/winter with an inactivated influenza vaccine.

The vaccination is also recommended for professional reasons for:

People with an increased occupational risk, e.g. healthcare workers, people working in facilities with extensive public contact, as well as individuals who may act as a potential source of infection for high-risk persons under their care
People with increased occupational risk due to frequent, regular, and direct contact with pigs, poultry, wild birds, or seals. In this case, STIKO recommends annual vaccination in autumn/winter with an inactivated influenza vaccine.

Travelers to areas where seasonal influenza is expected

It is likewise recommended for people whose work involves frequent, regular, and direct contact with pigs, poultry, wild birds, or seals, as well as for travelers to regions where seasonal influenza is currently circulating.

Which flu vaccines are available?

For the 2025/2026 flu season, there is a wide range of flu vaccines available that differ in various aspects such as their characteristics, production methods, application, and approval. In Germany, several providers offer flu vaccinations.

Most commonly, inactivated flu vaccines, also known as “killed” vaccines, are available. These vaccines contain either inactivated viruses or inactivated components of viruses. Depending on the type and manufacturer, these vaccines may be approved for babies from 6 months of age, for children, pregnant women, or adults.

For people aged 60 and over, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends either a high-dose inactivated vaccine or an MF59-adjuvanted inactivated subunit influenza vaccine made from surface antigens. Both vaccines are designed to provide improved effectiveness in older adults.

A live attenuated nasal flu vaccine is approved for children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years. This vaccine is not used in people with weakened immune systems due to illness or treatment. There may be additional costs for this type of vaccination.

An inactivated influenza subunit vaccine made from surface antigens and produced using cell cultures without chicken eggs can be administered intramuscularly to individuals aged 6 months and older. Since most flu vaccines are produced by incubating chicken eggs, people with an egg protein allergy should consult a doctor before vaccination.

As there are other vaccines with specific characteristics not listed here, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before getting vaccinated.

What side effects can occur?

In general, the seasonal influenza vaccine is well tolerated. Because the flu vaccination activates the immune system, mild symptoms may occur. Occasionally, symptoms similar to those of a common cold may appear. Irritability, muscle pain, fatigue, fever, chills, sweating, dizziness, tiredness, and headaches, as well as muscle or joint pain, can occur. Some people may also experience stomach or intestinal discomfort such as nausea or diarrhea after vaccination. These reactions usually subside within one to two days.

Local reactions such as mild pain, redness, bruising, itching, or swelling at the injection site may occur when an inactivated (killed) vaccine is used. When a live attenuated vaccine made from weakened influenza viruses is used, a blocked or runny nose may also occur. For more information on risks and possible side effects, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What costs are covered by SBK?

By default, the flu vaccination is intended for people aged 60 and over or those at increased risk, and the cost is covered for these groups. In addition, we fully reimburse the cost of the flu vaccination for all persons under 60 as part of the SBK additional benefits.

If the vaccination is offered at your workplace, we will also reimburse the costs in that case.

Where can I get vaccinated?

You can receive a flu vaccination at your general practitioner’s office. In most cases, the flu vaccine is already available at the practice, but it is best to check in advance whether the vaccine is in stock. Certain groups, such as parents visiting a pediatrician’s office, can also get vaccinated at gynecologists’ or pediatricians’ offices.

To make vaccination easy, quick, and convenient without long waiting times, we have arranged for vaccinations to be offered in pharmacies. Pharmacies that provide flu vaccinations can be found in the ApoGuide (in German only) of the State Chambers of Pharmacists.

If the vaccination is offered at your workplace, we will also reimburse the costs in that case.

Frequently asked questions about flu vaccination

The cost of the flu vaccination is covered for people aged 60 and over, individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and other persons belonging to a risk group as listed above. The vaccination is billed directly via your SBK healthcare card. Please remember to bring your vaccination record (immunization card) to your appointment so your doctor can officially record the vaccination.

If you are under 60 years old and do not have an underlying health condition, your doctor can issue you a private invoice. In most cases, doctors’ offices have the flu vaccine in stock, so you do not need to pick it up from a pharmacy.

You can easily upload the invoice in the Meine SBK app.

Submit invoice
Alternatively, you can send your documents by post. You can find our address and a prepaid envelope here.

We will be happy to check whether you are eligible for reimbursement of your vaccination costs. To do so, we need all the necessary documents from you. Simply upload your doctor’s invoice, the pharmacy receipt, and the vaccine prescription to Meine SBK. After a few days, the reimbursement will be transferred to your bank account.
Alternatively, you can send your documents by post. You can find our address and a prepaid envelope here.

Upload documents

Meine SBK Health Telephone is available around the clock to answer any questions you may have about the flu vaccination:

0800 072 572 570 0 (toll-free within Germany)

Facts about the virus and the vaccination

You can find answers to the most important questions about flu vaccination in the following information provided by the Paul Ehrlich Institute:

Information on seasonal flu vaccines

Flu vaccination

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