Covid-19 vaccinations
Information about coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
The COVID-19 vaccination is a standard covered service provided by the health insurance funds and can be billed using the SBK healthcare card. The Vaccination Guideline specifies who is entitled to receive it. The guideline is based on the current recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO).
What is COVID-19?
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can cause people to develop the disease COVID-19. The course of the illness can vary and trigger different symptoms. Common symptoms of a COVID-19 infection include headache, fever, sore throat, dry cough, body aches, conjunctivitis, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath, fatigue, and gastrointestinal complaints.
Depending on the course of the disease, complications may occur. These can include pneumonia, neurological long-term effects, an excessive immune response, and long COVID or post-COVID. COVID-19 can cause death.
How can I protect myself from infection?
Vaccination is the most effective protection against severe COVID-19. In addition, each vaccination helps reduce the spread of the coronavirus. In this way, vaccination contributes to protecting everyone. To reduce the risk of infection as much as possible, it is advisable to follow hygiene measures such as regular ventilation and wearing a protective mask in indoor spaces.
Who is the vaccination suitable for?
STIKO recommends COVID-19 vaccination for the following groups of people in late summer/early autumn:
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended as a routine vaccination for people aged 75 and over.
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended as an indication-based vaccination
1. People aged six months and over who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to an underlying medical condition, such as:
2. Recommended for residents of care homes.
3. Recommended for family members and close contacts of individuals who are unlikely to develop a protective immune response following a COVID-19 vaccination.
4. Recommended for pregnant women at increased health risk due to pregnancy-related complications (e.g. gestational diabetes, hypertension) from the second trimester onwards.
As a work-related indication, COVID-19 vaccination is
Important notes:
Which vaccines are available?
There are the following developments in COVID-19 vaccines:
You can also find a current overview of all vaccines on the Paul Ehrlich Institute’s
According to the STIKO recommendation, the costs are not currently covered for all the vaccines listed, such as mCombrixa or mNexspike.
What side effects may occur?
Following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, local and general reactions may occur. Local reactions may include redness or pain at the injection site. Systemic reactions include fever, chills, headaches, muscle or joint pain, and tiredness. These reactions are a sign that the immune system is responding as intended and usually subside without any lasting effects after a few days. Further side effects may occur after vaccination. For example, there is an increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis, particularly with mRNA vaccines, in young men under the age of 30. These conditions can develop within a few days of vaccination, and fatalities have also been observed. In addition, cases of severe allergic reactions have been reported.
Detailed information on the COVID-19 vaccination can be found on the website of the
What costs are covered by SBK?
If there is a STIKO vaccination recommendation, the costs of the COVID-19 vaccination will be covered for you and are usually billed via the SBK healthcare card. If the vaccination is offered in your workplace, we will cover the costs in this case as well.
We have entered into agreements with pharmacies so that the cost of vaccination at pharmacies is covered in accordance with STIKO’s recommendations.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to be centrally financed and procured by the federal government in multi-dose vials. Once the vaccine supplied by the government has run out, the vaccine will be sourced by the doctor’s surgery. Therefore, an individual reimbursement arrangement by the insurance fund (e.g., for single-dose vaccines) is not possible.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Vaccinations can be administered in general practitioner, pediatric, and gynecological practices. It is best to check in advance whether the practice has the vaccine in stock.
To allow you to get vaccinated quickly, easily, and without long waiting times, we have made arrangements for vaccinations to be carried out in pharmacies. Pharmacies that provide COVID-19 vaccinations can be found in the
If the vaccination is offered in your workplace, we also reimburse the costs in this case.
