The federal states will now offer vaccinations for 12- to 17-year-olds. This has been jointly decided by the health ministers of the federal states and Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn. This means that children and young people can be vaccinated at vaccination centres, by their local GP or paediatrician or by medical officers as relatives of employees. This requires a medical consultation, as well as the consent of parents or guardians in some cases.

“We have enough vaccines”

“We will keep our promise: everyone who wants to can be vaccinated in the summer. We have enough vaccines for all age groups. 12- to 17-year-old children and adolescents who decide to have the vaccine after a medical consultation can protect themselves and others by being vaccinated”, said Federal Health Minister Spahn.

The BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently permitted by the European Commission for the COVID-19 vaccination of children and adolescents from the age of 12.

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine for children and adolescents from the age of 12 who have pre-existing conditions which suggest an increased risk of a serious COVID-19 progression, as well as for children and adolescents living with relatives or other contact persons at high risk of a serious COVID-19 progression who cannot be vaccinated themselves or who present a reasonable suspicion of inadequate protection after vaccination. Notwithstanding, all children from the age of 12 can receive a vaccination after a medical consultation if this is the explicit wish of the children or their parents.

Booster vaccination protects vulnerable groups

The Conference of Health Ministers also decided that, from September 2021, a booster vaccination will be offered at care facilities, integration assistance facilities and other institutions with vulnerable groups, generally at least six months after completion of the first vaccination series.

Patients with immune weakness or immune suppression and those in need of care or very elderly persons who live in their own home are to be offered a booster vaccination by their GPs. Current study data shows that these groups particularly benefit from a booster vaccination.

“The aim of offering a booster vaccination in September is to ensure the best possible protection for particularly vulnerable groups in autumn and winter – because they are at the greatest risk of decreased protection”, said Federal Health Minister Spahn.