Germany childhood vaccination schedule
The vaccines recommended by STIKO, Germany's Standing Committee on Vaccination, for babies, children and teenagers, by age. Based on the STIKO Impfkalender 2026.
Vaccines by age
This is the routine schedule for healthy children. Ages are when the dose is recommended; your Kinderarzt (paediatrician) often combines doses with the U-checkups.
| Age | Vaccine | Protects against |
|---|---|---|
| Before or in the first RSV season | RSV antibody (nirsevimab), one dose | RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) |
| 2 months | 6-in-1 vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) Pneumococcal (PCV) MenB Rotavirus (drops by mouth, from 6 weeks) | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B Pneumococcal infections Meningococcal group B Rotavirus |
| 3 months | Rotavirus, 2nd dose (some brands need a 3rd dose at 4 months) | Rotavirus |
| 4 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, 2nd dose PCV, 2nd dose MenB, 2nd dose | As at 2 months |
| 11 months | 6-in-1 booster PCV booster MMR and chickenpox, 1st dose | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B Pneumococcal infections Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox |
| 12 months | MenB booster | Meningococcal group B |
| 15 months | MMR and chickenpox, 2nd dose (can be one MMRV shot) | Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox |
| 5 to 6 years | Tdap booster | Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough |
| 9 to 14 years | HPV, 2 doses at least 5 months apart | Cancers and genital warts caused by HPV |
| 9 to 16 years | Tdap-IPV booster | Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio |
| 12 to 14 years | MenACWY | Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y |
RSV: babies born April to September get the antibody in autumn, before their first RSV season. Babies born October to March get it soon after birth. Premature babies get an extra 6-in-1 dose at 3 months. STIKO doesn't recommend a yearly flu vaccine for healthy children, only for children with certain health conditions.
If your child was born earlier
STIKO updates the schedule every year. A few recent changes matter for older children:
MenC at 12 months (until 2025)
Older children usually had a MenC vaccine at 12 months. Since 2026, STIKO recommends MenACWY at 12 to 14 years instead, also for children who had MenC. Missed doses can be caught up until age 25.
MenB (recommended since 2024)
Children born before 2024 usually didn't get MenB as babies. STIKO recommends catching up missed MenB doses until the 5th birthday.
RSV antibody (recommended since 2024)
Only for babies in their first RSV season. Older children don't need it.
Not sure what your child has had? Bring the Impfpass to your Kinderarzt. They check it against the current STIKO recommendations and book any missing doses.
Moving to Germany with children
- Coming from the US? See moving from the US to Germany.
- Coming from the UK? See moving from the UK to Germany.
- Find a Kinderarzt (paediatrician) early. In many cities practices are full, so start looking before you arrive.
- Bring your child's vaccination records from abroad. The Kinderarzt transfers them into a German Impfpass, the yellow booklet.
- Measles proof is required by law for Kita, school and childminders: at least one dose from age 1 and two doses from age 2, or proof of immunity, or a doctor's certificate that your child can't be vaccinated. Sort this out before your child starts.
- The Kinderarzt compares your records with the STIKO schedule and offers catch-up doses (Nachholimpfungen).
- Common differences: Germany gives chickenpox and MenB to babies, gives MMR earlier (11 and 15 months), and has no routine flu vaccine for healthy children.
Moving away from Germany
- Moving to Spain? See moving from Germany to Spain.
- Moving to the Netherlands? See moving from Germany to the Netherlands.
- Keep the yellow Impfpass. It's accepted internationally and lists every vaccine with batch numbers.
- Ask your Kinderarzt for a copy of the vaccination record before you leave.
- Your new country may schedule vaccines differently. For example, the UK gives MenACWY at 14 and a yearly flu vaccine from age 2, and the Netherlands gives MenACWY at 14 months.
Questions
Are vaccinations compulsory in Germany?
Mostly not. The exception is measles: since March 2020, children in Kita, school or with a childminder must show proof of measles vaccination (at least one dose from age 1, two from age 2) or immunity, under the Masernschutzgesetz. Children who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons need a doctor's certificate.
Are childhood vaccinations free in Germany?
Yes. Statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) pays for all STIKO-recommended vaccinations. Private insurers usually cover them as well.
What if my child had vaccines in another country?
Take the records to your Kinderarzt. They check them against the STIKO schedule, enter them in a German Impfpass and offer any missing doses.
Why is MenC no longer given at 12 months?
In 2026 STIKO replaced the MenC vaccine at 12 months with a MenACWY vaccine at 12 to 14 years, which protects against four meningococcal groups.
Keep track with VaxFile
VaxFile shows your child's German schedule, reminds you of upcoming doses, and keeps records from every country you've lived in. Free on iOS and Android.
Sources: RKI, STIKO Impfkalender 2026 · Epidemiologisches Bulletin 4/2026 · Federal Ministry of Health, Masernschutz
This page summarises the official STIKO recommendations for information only. It isn't medical advice. Your Kinderarzt decides which vaccines your child needs. Saxony also publishes its own official vaccination recommendations, alongside STIKO.
Last checked against the official sources: 6 October 2026.