Rising cases of breast cancer prompt call for immediate vaccination, according to a health senator
Headline: Staying Healthy This Winter: Germany's Updated Vaccination Recommendations
As the colder months approach, it's essential to prioritise our health and wellbeing. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute has provided updated vaccination recommendations for flu, pneumococci, COVID-19, pertussis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Germany.
Influenza (flu)
Adults aged 60 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, healthcare workers, and others at increased risk of severe disease are recommended to receive an annual flu vaccination.
Pneumococci
Vaccination against pneumococci is primarily recommended for adults aged 60 years and older, as well as for younger adults with certain chronic illnesses or immunodeficiencies. This protects against invasive pneumococcal diseases.
COVID-19
Booster doses for COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, especially for older adults (≥ 60 years), high-risk groups, and persons with occupational exposure. The exact timing and number of boosters depend on the type of vaccine previously received and risk factors.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
A single pertussis booster dose is recommended for all adults, preferably combined with the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine. This is particularly important to protect newborns (the cocooning strategy).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
While specific RSV vaccines for adults are not yet part of routine STIKO recommendations, they are anticipated for older adults and high-risk groups in the near future.
In addition to these recommendations, regular and thorough handwashing with soap, ventilating closed rooms, wearing masks when symptomatic, and maintaining a distance from people with symptoms of an acute respiratory illness are all effective measures to reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
If you have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, it is advisable to stay at home for three to five days and until symptoms improve. For comprehensive and precise vaccination schedules by age and risk group, consult the Robert Koch Institute’s 2025 vaccination recommendations document directly.
As the number of severe respiratory infections remains at the level of previous years, it's crucial to remember that a full vaccination is particularly important for older people, as their immune system weakens with age, and infections can become more severe.
Claudia Bernhard, Senator for Health, Women, and Consumer Protection in Bremen, advises residents to get vaccinated and consult their family doctors for advice.
[1] For more detailed information, please refer to the Robert Koch Institute’s 2025 vaccination recommendations document.
- It's essential to note that, in addition to vaccinations, regular handwashing, ventilating rooms, mask-wearing, and maintaining distance from people with symptoms are crucial for preventing respiratory infections, such as influenza, pneumococcal diseases, COVID-19, and potentially severe medical-conditions like breast-cancer, which can weaken the immune system.
- As the immune system weakens with age, older individuals are at a higher risk of severe medical-conditions, including cancer like breast-cancer, underscoring the importance of a full vaccination schedule, as recommended by the Robert Koch Institute, especially for those aged 60 and older.
- Alongside advising residents to get vaccinated and consult their family doctors, Claudia Bernhard, Senator for Health, Women, and Consumer Protection in Bremen, emphasizes the importance of being aware of potential advancements in medical-conditons fields such as cancer research, particularly breast-cancer, and the availability of new vaccines that could further enhance health and wellness for older adults and high-risk groups.
