The time has finally come to receive the vaccine against covid-19. But if you are an international in Germany, you might be feeling a bit left out from all the information regarding the vaccination. Especially if your German is not so great and you only have international friends. But fear not, we have separated the most important facts about vaccination in Germany.
To start, vaccination in Germany has nothing to do with nationality. That means that if you are a German resident, or in other words, if you hold a German residence permit, you can receive the vaccine for free at a vaccination center.
Although the vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is voluntary, it is highly recommended that you receive the shot. To be vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others. Moreover, the vaccine will allow us to get back to "normal life" and save millions of lives worldwide.
If you are still feeling insecure about the vaccination, we suggest you read information from reliable sources. Deutsche Welle is constantly fact-checking information available about the vaccine, such as this article explaining infertility and other COVID vaccination myths. The German government also provides information about fake news regarding the covid-19 vaccine. Other reliable sources are the FAQ on the European Commission page and, of course, the World Health Organization.
We will go through the main questions about vaccination in Germany for international students. Read on to find out more.
When can I be vaccinated in Germany?
If you are an international student with no underlying health conditions, you are probably not on the priority list for the vaccination. The prioritization will be lifted in June, which means anyone who wants to be vaccinated against covid-19 can schedule an appointment for the vaccination.
Where and how can I schedule a vaccine appointment?
The covid-19 vaccine is being offered in vaccination centers and house doctors (Hausarzt). To receive the vaccine at your Hausarzt, you should contact them. For vaccination centers, you can book an appointment online on the official website. Alternatively, other platforms are aggregating vaccine appointments, such as Doctolib and Sofort-impfen.
Important to know that at this stage, there might still be a shortage in the vaccine supply. So you might have to wait a bit longer to get your jab. However, the German government assured that everyone who wants to be vaccinated should receive the covid-19 vaccine by the end of this summer.
How much will I have to pay for the vaccine?
At vaccination centers, the covid-19 vaccine is free of charge for everyone residing in Germany.
If you are insured with Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) or any other public health insurance fund, you do not need to pay for the vaccine, as it is covered in your monthly fee. You could either book an appointment at a vaccination center or your doctor.
If you are insured with a private health insurance provider, like DR-WALTER, you should get your shot at a vaccination center. If you wish to be vaccinated at your Hausarzt, you should contact the German Health Department and confirm if the vaccination will be covered.
Where can I find information about the vaccination?
Each of the 16 German federal states (Bundesländer) deals with the vaccinations with slightly different approaches. You can find official information in the following links:
- Baden-Württemberg
- Bavaria
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Hessen
- Lower Saxony
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Rhineland-Palatinate
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Thuringia
Can I choose the type of vaccine I am getting?
The vaccines approved by the European Union are BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). When booking an appointment, you will be able to choose what vaccine you will get. However, the supply for different types of the vaccine depends on availability.
When will I get the second vaccine shot?
Each vaccine has a different waiting period between shots. And you should not worry about getting the second shot, as the place where you got your first jab will schedule your second dose in the correct time frame. It is worth noting that if you opt for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, just one shot is necessary.
I am an international student coming to Germany, and I haven't been vaccinated in my home country. Could I receive the vaccine in Germany?
If you are an international student with a valid German residence permit and health insurance, you can be vaccinated in Germany.
What is the vaccination pass?
The German vaccination pass (or Impfpass) is a yellow booklet used to record all the vaccinations you have received in your life, including the vaccine against covid-19. The World Health Organization recognizes it as an international certificate of vaccination.
How much does the vaccination pass cost?
The vaccination pass is free of charge at your house doctor or vaccination centers. Pharmacies and even Amazon charge a small fee of between €1 and €2.
Is the vaccination pass valid in other countries?
The vaccination pass you will receive when getting the covid-19 vaccine is recognized by the World Health Organization. Thus, it is valid worldwide.
How many people are vaccinated in Germany?
In the official dashboard, you can check the vaccination progress in Germany. At the time this article was written, there were over 33,9M people who received at least one vaccine shot.
