Vaccinate

Travel vaccinations and travel medicine

In addition, further vaccinations may be useful and necessary for vacation trips (e.g. TBE, hepatitis A + B, pneumococci, meningococci, influenza, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid). Travel vaccinations depend on various factors: e.g. travel country, destination, route, period, climatic conditions, vaccination requirements, individual behavior, personal state of health, acute and/or chronic illnesses, medication, type of accommodation and hygienic conditions, hotel or backpacking trip, etc.

There is an increased risk of infection, especially in tropical climates. Malaria prophylaxis or a yellow fever vaccination can be particularly useful for many trips. Yellow fever vaccinations are recommended when traveling to various areas of Africa and South America, as yellow fever is widespread there. There is a high risk of infection due to transmission, e.g. through mosquito bites. The disease is often fatal and a yellow fever vaccination provides protection.

Some countries require proof of an effective yellow fever vaccination before entry. According to international health regulations, yellow fever vaccination centers must be state-approved. The only yellow fever vaccination center in the district of Bernkastel-Wittlich is located at the Wittlich Health Department with the public health officer Dr. Schlichting.

As malaria prophylaxis and numerous vaccinations require a minimum age, we advise against long-distance travel with small children. We therefore only offer travel medical vaccinations from the age of 2.

Find out in good time, at least six weeks before you travel, about recommended or mandatory vaccinations for your trip and seek appropriate medical advice.

In addition to the STIKO recommendations, the Federal Foreign Office also provides information on health risks and vaccination recommendations for various countries in its country information.

Occupational health vaccinations

Vaccinations may also be necessary due to work-related infection risks. These are the responsibility of the employer in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, who must clarify the need for vaccinations from an occupational health perspective following a risk assessment. The employer therefore also bears the costs for occupational health and safety vaccinations. Occupational safety vaccinations may be required, for example, for employees in laboratories, in health and social care facilities, for sewer/sewage treatment plant workers, law enforcement personnel, workers in agriculture/forestry (e.g. TBE vaccination) or hunting/forestry/veterinary personnel (e.g. rabies vaccination). It is best to have this clarified by your occupational/company physician.

Costs

The costs for vaccinations provided for in the guidelines of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) on the basis of the STIKO vaccination recommendations are generally covered by the statutory health insurance funds and are therefore settled directly between the contract/insurance fund doctors and the statutory health insurance fund. Unfortunately, it is not possible to bill health insurance companies directly for vaccinations carried out at the public health department, as we do not participate in the statutory health insurance scheme. Therefore, the costs for the above-mentioned vaccinations must always be paid privately; the vaccinated person must then clarify any reimbursement of costs with the health insurance company themselves. For privately insured persons and those entitled to benefits, other regulations apply in some cases. However, it is advisable for everyone to clarify in advance whether our costs will be covered by your statutory or private health insurance or by the subsidy office.

Vaccinations that become necessary for reasons of private travel are generally not covered by health insurance. In the meantime, many health insurance companies also offer cost reimbursements for travel vaccinations on a voluntary basis. However, each insurance company has different regulations. It is therefore advisable to check in advance with your own health insurance company or subsidy office whether costs will be covered. If we carry out vaccinations or vaccination consultations, these are always invoiced as a private service and must be paid for here. We cannot say whether the costs can subsequently be reimbursed by health insurance/subsidies. It is therefore advisable to find out in advance.

The Department of Health invoices vaccination costs according to the fee rates of the Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ) as a private service or according to the provisions of the Special Fee Schedule of the Rhineland-Palatinate Health Administration. In addition to the costs for the vaccination/vaccination consultation, there are also the costs for the required vaccines; here we only pass on our procurement costs to you as expenses.

Vaccinations and vaccination advice - your contacts

Vaccinations as well as information and advice on recommended vaccinations can be obtained from your family doctor, your pediatrician and the health department of the Bernkastel-Wittlich district administration. The doctors will also advise you if you have any concerns or reservations about vaccinations. Always bring your vaccination record with you to medical vaccination consultations.

In addition to personal advice and vaccinations, we also have a wide range of information material on various vaccinations available. We will be happy to advise you on publicly recommended vaccinations and those recommended by travel medicine, including yellow fever vaccinations, as well as on all questions relating to travel-related health risks and preventive travel medicine.