Get vaccinated
Do I really need to get vaccinated?
Yes, absolutely. COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective tool for ending the current pandemic once and for all.
Only when enough people are vaccinated will we see a reduction in cases of serious illness and death. We will only achieve this if every single one of us is fully vaccinated.
Are the vaccines absolutely safe?
Yes, all vaccines approved in Germany have been sufficiently researched and tested and are safe.
Can vaccines have side-effects?
As with any vaccine, side-effects may occur. For example, you may experience soreness or muscle pain around the injection site. It is also possible that you will feel unwell or develop a fever. This is quite normal, and shows that your immune system is reacting. Very rarely, there may be more severe side effects. The risk associated with falling ill with COVID-19 is much higher. All vaccines protect you from becoming infected with the coronavirus and are highly effective in preventing more serious progression of COVID-19. Furthermore, vaccination reduces the risk of you transmitting the virus to others.
Are there enough vaccine doses for everyone?
Yes, in the meantime, sufficient stocks of vaccines are available.
Where can I go to get vaccinated?
You can get vaccinated at communal vaccination centres and in medical practices.
The non-mobile communal vaccination centres are scheduled to close on 30 September 2021. Vaccinations and vaccination appointments in communal vaccination centres will, however, still be available until 30 September 2021 for persons over 18 years of age, but only for vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as a single dose of this vaccine is sufficient to provide complete protection. All other vaccines require two vaccinations to provide complete protection. These vaccines will continue to be available from registered doctors.
After closure of the vaccination centres, communities will continue to offer vaccinations with mobile vaccination teams, for example in retirement homes or nursing homes, socially disadvantaged areas, at a number of schools and at other locations. You will be able to find more details on the websites of your local or regional authorities or, if available, from a community information centre. Clicking on your region on the interactive map will take you directly to the website of the authorities responsible for your community.
1. Communal vaccination centres
You can get vaccinated free of charge at a communal vaccination centre. It’s easy – simply call our Hotline – 0800 99 88 665 – between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday to book an appointment for your vaccination.
Communal vaccination centres in many regions have launched vaccination campaigns. Information about these can be found on the websites of the respective communities or local and regional authorities (please note: these websites are only in German):
2. Registered doctors
Most doctors offer vaccinations. We recommend that you call your family doctor or a medical practice close to you to arrange an appointment for vaccination. If you don’t have a family doctor, you can visit www.arztauskunft-niedersachsen.de to find medical practices in your region.
3. Company doctors
Many companies offer their employees the opportunity to get vaccinated by a company doctor. Ask your personnel / human resources department whether your company offers a vaccination programme for employees.
Please don’t forget to bring your International Certificate of Vaccination to your appointment. If you don’t have one, they are readily available from pharmacies, medical practices or your local health authority (‘Gesundheitsamt’).
Which vaccines are available in Germany?
The following four vaccines are currently approved for use in Germany: BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. They are all scientifically well researched and safe. Full vaccination with any of these four vaccines provides very good protection against infection with the coronavirus and serious progression of COVID-19 infections.
The vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna are approved for the vaccination of persons from the age of twelve, and the vaccines from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson for persons from the age of eighteen.
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Are there people who shouldn’t be vaccinated?
- All persons suffering from an acute illness with fever (38.5°C or higher) should wait until they are completely recovered before getting vaccinated. In contrast, a light cold or increased temperature (less than 38.5°C) are not considered to be valid reasons for postponing your vaccination.
- Persons who are hypersensitive to components of vaccines or have known allergies. If this is the case, please mention it to the doctor or medic before vaccination
- Persons who have been vaccinated against another disease within the last 14 days.
Do I need to get vaccinated after recovery from a previous infection with the virus?
Yes, you do. It is recommended that persons previously infected with the virus should be vaccinated 4 weeks after recovery from the infection.
Should I consider getting my child vaccinated?
Yes, absolutely. At least according to the recommendations of the experts of the Permanent Vaccination Commission of the Robert Koch Institute and the Public Health Agency of Lower Saxony. Vaccination is and remains the best form of protection against infection with coronavirus, above all with respect to the currently dominant and highly contagious Delta variant. The benefits of vaccination by far outweigh the risks.
Can vaccines have side-effects?
Side-effects may occur, as with any other vaccine. Muscle pain at or around the injection site is one of the most common side-effects. Other possible side-effects are fever, tiredness and headache.
In any case, please get vaccinated in order to protect yourself and others!
You can find more detailed information about coronavirus at www.niedersachsen.de/Coronavirus (only in German).
Our measures to get us all back to a normal way of life:
Vaccinate
COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to safeguard against serious illness and the best chance of protecting yourself, your family and those around you!
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Get protected
Even though it rarely happens, it is possible to contract and transmit the virus despite being vaccinated. This is why you must continue to observe the familiar rules concerning hygiene and behaviour.
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Get tested
If you are unaware that you have been infected with the virus, you can transmit it to the people around you, your family and your friends. This is why regular testing is so important.
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Get help
This is where you can find more information about COVID-19 / coronavirus vaccination, recommended protective measures and testing.
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