Vaccination against Corona/Covid-19

Who should get vaccinated against Covid-19 in autumn 2023?

From now on, we are offering the COVID-19 vaccine from BioNTech/Pfizer (monovalent mRNA vaccine) adapted to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 in all our practices.

Stiko recommends a booster vaccination to the following groups:

• Basic immunity with 3 antigen contacts is recommended for people over 18 years of age.
• A further refresher annually is recommended for risk groups. Interval: 12 months from last contact with antigen (vaccination or infection). Risk groups: >60 years of age, residents in care facilities, patients with certain pre-existing conditions
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Parallel vaccinations are possible with vaccination against influenza and pneumococcus.
COVID-19 vaccination is currently not recommended for healthy infants and children under 18 years of age.

Why should I get vaccinated against Covid-19?

Effective and safe vaccinations can help limit the spread of corona. Vaccination trains crucial protection, population immunity, and thus significantly reduces the risk of serious COVID-19 diseases.

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How is vaccination carried out?

The vaccination is carried out exclusively in the upper arm muscle. A very fine injection cannula is used for this purpose. If you are taking blood thinning medication, the injection site is compressed for at least 2 minutes after vaccination. Vaccination information also includes questions about allergies. If you have an allergy pass, please bring it with you to the vaccination.
If possible, you should not receive any other vaccination 14 days before the start and after the end of the vaccination series. Emergency vaccinations are excluded.
After vaccination, a follow-up of at least 15 minutes is recommended.

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Here You can find much more information from STIKO.

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How exactly do the individual corona vaccines work?

This is how the mRNA vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna work:‍

BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are among the newer mRNA vaccines that are produced using genetic engineering. mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) is the “blueprint” for every single protein in the human body. mRNA vaccines against corona contain the “blueprint” for just one part of the virus: the spike protein on the outer shell. This protein is not infectious, meaning it does not transmit the disease.

The mRNA contained in the vaccine breaks down your body in a few days, meaning it does not reach the human genetic material, the DNA. The muscle cells around the vaccination site increase the spike protein. Your immune system recognizes them as foreign bodies, activates immune cells and produces antibodies and immune cells against the coronavirus spike protein. If you become infected with the coronavirus, your body will recognize the spike protein and fight it.

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What are the risks of vaccination?

Most often, the stimulation of your body's immune system can cause redness or swelling at the puncture site, which can also be painful.
It may also happen that your body reacts with general reactions such as fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, or chills/fever. However, these symptoms subside a few days after vaccination. In one of our avi practices, we would be happy to advise you on possible vaccination reactions and side effects and how you should best act if they occur.

In advance, you can find more information about the side effects of the individual vaccines here:

Information leaflet STIKO on COVID-19 vaccination with mRNA vaccine

Information leaflet on COVID-19 vaccination with vector vaccine