Immunisations in Europe?

[dragonflyblu]

We are moving to Germany in a few months and we are non-vaxers. i have been trying to find some info on the german immunisation schedule and if anything is compulsory over there. Does anyone know where I might find some info on Germany in English.

[Kylles]

Have a look at this site, it lists all the EU requirements http://www.euvac.net/graphics/euvac/vaccination/germany.html

[dragonflyblu]

Thanks for that. I still cant seem to find out if any are compulsory or not. So for an aust child not vaccinated will Germany make us do any vaccinations. I will register with the site I think and check their forums.

[bindiloo]

From what i can read here it isnt compulsory.


Important preconditions for the successful implementation of vaccination programmes exist in Germany as in other industrialised countries. Highly effective vaccines, tested and approved by state authorities, are available. Sick funds and employers fund vaccinations with the exception of vaccinations arranged for private travel. All important vaccinations are recommended by the STIKO (permanent vaccination committee) at the RKI (Robert-Koch Institute) for the whole population or specific high risk groups. On the basis of these recommendations, the legal aspects are regulated by the respective Federal States. Vaccination is voluntary.
Legal guarantees for compensation have been implemented for all vaccination programmes recommended in the Federal States for the rare cases when people suffer permanent damage through vaccination. Similar legal arrangements are not in place for other prophylactic or therapeutic interventions, although the risks of side effects might be higher.
In Germany vaccination coverage is suboptimal despite largely favourable preconditions. There are various reasons, some of which are discussed here. Most vaccinations are not organised by the Community Health Service, in contrast to many other countries. Each vaccination requires action on the part of parents (or adults to be vaccinated) as well as on the part of physicians. There is too little ‘incentive’ for people to get vaccinated. The public lack knowledge of the benefit of vaccination.
Even some physicians are insufficiently convinced or do not convey their belief to patients sufficiently. Paediatricians and general practitioners are often insufficiently prepared to actively approach their patients about updating their vaccination status. Practice organisation often does not allow vaccination status to be assessed. Moreover the remuneration for vaccination is regarded as insufficient by many physicians, which does not help to increase vaccination activities, especially if the time needed to discuss the issue is taken into consideration. Regional vaccination registers, which would allow the active follow up of non immunised people by the Community Health Services, do not exist. Therefore, healthy adults and adolescents and children - who are not seen by a doctor on a regular basis - rarely have their vaccination status checked and updated.
To achieve the high level of vaccination coverage intended in Germany, existing obstacles have to be overcome by cooperation between the major key players (primary care physicians, Community Health Services, and Sick Funds). Some progress has been made in the past year. The constructive dialogue should be continued, and examples of good practice should be published and disseminated.
Reported by Oliver Schafer (oliver.schafer@lshtm.ac.uk), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, and Gernot Rasch (raschg@rik.de), Robert-Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany. Translated from Epidemiologisches Bulletin 1999; (19): 139-43.


http://www.who.int/vaccines/globalsummary/immunization/ScheduleResult.cfm

[stellarella]

German Vaccination Schedule (http://www.euvac.net/graphics/euvac/vaccination/germany.html)

[dragonflyblu]

thanks Bidiloo, thats exactly what i was looking for. What great research skills you have!

Thanks to everyone who responded. So much to organise moving a baby to a new country!