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COVID-19 VACCINES

German vaccines commission recommends fourth Covid jab for over-60s

Germany's Standing Vaccines Commission (STIKO) has issued a recommendation for all over-60s in Germany to get a fourth Covid vaccination.

Published: 18 August 2022 17:06 CEST

Nurse prepares dose of Pfizer vaccine

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at a Bavarian vaccination centre. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Matthias Balk

Previously, STIKO had only suggested a second booster – or fourth Covid jab – for people aged 70 or over, or people aged five and over with weakend immune systems and a particular high risk of a severe course of illness.

People with compromised immune systems are still advised to seek out a fourth dose of the vaccine.

The vaccines panel announced on Thursday that it was expanding its recommendation “with the primary aim of providing particularly at-risk individuals with even better protection against severe Covid 19 diseases and Covid 19-related deaths”.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Can I get a second Covid booster jab in Germany?

As a general rule, the fourth dose of vaccine should be an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer/BioNTech and should be administered no sooner than six months after the third dose or last Covid infection.

In some “justified” cases, this can be shortened to four months.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) welcomed the news on Thursday, stating that the recommendation was “overdue”.

“I definitely advise citizens over 60 to follow STIKO’s advice and not wait for the new vaccines,” Lauterbach told t-online, referring to a new set of vaccines designed specifically to combat infections with Omicron subtypes BA.4 and BA.5.

The number of cases and deaths is still too high, he added. “The vaccines available in Germany, however, reliably protect against death and severe progression of the virus.”

READ ALSO: German Health Minister calls on under 60s to get next Covid jab

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Does my German health insurance cover me if I get sick abroad?

If you’re planning to travel this summer, you may want to review your German health insurance policy before you leave. It’s wise to know what your insurance will and will not cover in case you or a family member get sick abroad.

As a reminder, health insurance is mandatory for all residents in Germany. So all legal residents here undoubtedly have at least the basic required coverage, provided by one of Germany’s public health insurance providers or a private health insurance plan that meets the minimum coverage requirements.

German insurance does cover medical emergencies in Europe

Statutory health insurance holders in Germany automatically receive a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). In many cases your EHIC is the same as your regular health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte).

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED – Can you switch from private to public health insurance in Germany?

For those with an EHIC, necessary health care is covered in European countries. For example, if you get sick while travelling Europe, or have an accident or need urgent surgery, your German insurance will pay for the immediate emergency treatment you require.

Some health insurance plans may also extend their coverage to a few other countries beyond the EU, such as Switzerland, Iceland or French territories like French Guiana or Guadeloupe, just to name a few examples.

But generally basic coverage does not extend to Africa, the Americas, Australia or Asia.

A full list of countries where you can use your EHIC is found here.

health insurance cards

Many health insurance cards in Germany double as a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), meaning that they can be used across Europe. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Kalaene

Note that this care does not necessarily extend to treatments that are not urgent. Once your condition is stabilised and it is safe for you to travel, you may be transferred back to Germany to finish any further treatments at home.

Generally doctors in other European countries should be able to bill EHIC providers directly, but if not, you’ll want to keep your bill and submit an invoice to your health insurance provider for a reimbursement. In this case, you should collect and keep all the documents you receive related to your care, like prescriptions and receipts.

Generally additional health insurance would be required for long-distance trips. If you are taking a business trip abroad, your employer is responsible for reimbursing health care costs.

Note that health costs can be considerably more expensive in other countries

A standard health insurance plan in Germany won’t cover medical expenses incurred in most countries outside of Europe, so you may want to purchase travel health insurance for trips beyond the continent.

Keep in mind that in some countries, like the United States, the cost of medical care tends to be significantly higher than it would be in Germany. So purchasing additional care insurance may be worth considering when travelling there.

Most major insurers in Germany, like Allianz and AXA, offer supplemental global health coverage that would pay for most of the costs which are un-refunded by your main insurance while travelling.

READ ALSO: Could it soon get harder to get private health insurance in Germany?

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