Travel Vaccinations Overview - Tips & Information

What Travel Vaccinations Are Available and When Do Health Insurers Cover Them?

Africa Map shutterstock_232195168 photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

Vaccination card and syringe photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

Before traveling, it is advisable to consider travel vaccinations and consult with a physician. Here is an overview of the most important travel vaccinations and health insurance coverage to ensure you are prepared for any eventuality on your journey.

Before embarking on a grand world trip to exotic locations, you should definitely inform yourself about various travel vaccinations that you may need to protect against illnesses while traveling. After all, you want to relax on-site without worrying about the worst after every mosquito bite or leafy salad you consume. Here, you will find useful tips regarding travel vaccinations, a summary of all common vaccinations, and everything else you need to know about foreign illnesses.

The Most Important Points Regarding Travel Vaccinations

It is particularly important to inform yourself about necessary vaccinations in advance, as these can consist of multiple injections, which must be spaced apart by a specific number of days or even months. Therefore, it is sensible to contact a physician or a tropical medicine institute up to six months before your departure, to get advice on which vaccinations are personally necessary for you. Caution: Some countries require specific vaccinations for entry.

Furthermore, while there are vaccinations or prophylactic medications for many diseases, there are also emergency medications for some, such as malaria. However, you must have these prescribed in advance to be able to take them with you. Medical travel consultations are usually not covered by health insurance and generally cost around $20-$30, or more for longer consultations or examinations. Nevertheless, it is very important, as the internet can only provide limited advice and cannot administer vaccinations.

It is important not to underestimate tropical diseases - many symptoms are flu-like or may manifest much later. Do not take this lightly and seek a physician as soon as you sense something isn't right. A good travel health insurance ensures that you won't have to worry about costs. However, panic about tropical diseases is misplaced - simply trust your common sense and listen to your body. The same goes for hygiene on-site, as this can greatly help in combating many illnesses. When it comes to food, the mantra is: 'Peel it, cook it, or leave it.'

How to Proceed

A young man sitting with his tablet in the jungle photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

Step 1: Travel medical consultation. Talk early with your doctor or a tropical medicine institute. The experts know which vaccinations are important for you.
Step 2: Check your insurance. Look into which travel vaccinations your health insurance covers.
Step 3: Get vaccinated. Obtain your shots at the right time and look forward to your trip!

Which Health Insurers Offer Free Travel Vaccinations?

Before venturing out into the world and commencing the big vaccination marathon, travelers typically inform themselves as thoroughly as possible about potential diseases at their travel destination. Yellow fever, Hepatitis B, rabies - these and many other diseases should, as mentioned, be prevented with timely vaccinations.

What many may not realize is that there are often very high costs associated with this. The Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) regularly reviews the coverage of the largest insurers to find out which health insurance companies offer free travel vaccinations and what is included. The current list from the CRM can be found on their website. In general, it can be said that almost all large and smaller insurers at least partially cover the costs of travel vaccinations (for example, company health insurance funds [BKK], statutory health insurances, and guild health insurances). KNAPPSCHAFT, AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven, AOK Plus, AOK Rheinland/Hamburg, IKK classic, and IKK gesund plus as well as IKK Brandenburg and Berlin, IKK - The Innovation Fund, and BARMER fully cover the costs of travel vaccinations. Some people even switch their health insurance to avoid having to pay for the often rather expensive travel vaccinations out of pocket.

Occasionally, very high costs can arise.

Travel Vaccinations at KNAPPSCHAFT

Travel vaccinations recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission and the Foreign Office are fully covered or reimbursed. These include: cholera, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal C, rabies, typhoid, and malaria prophylaxis.

Travel Vaccinations at AOK

Calendar reminding of the vaccination photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

AOK Baden-Württemberg: Vaccinations and consultations recommended by the Stiko are subsidized within the health accounts by up to $200 per year.
AOK Bayern: Covers 80% of the costs for the vaccine or tablets for malaria prophylaxis, as well as vaccinations against cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, meningococci, poliomyelitis, rabies, typhoid, and bird flu; for insured individuals aged 18 to 25, 80% of the cost for human papillomavirus vaccinations is also covered. Consultation and treatment costs are not included.
AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven: 100% of the costs for travel vaccinations against cholera, TBE, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, influenza, meningococci, rabies, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria prophylaxis will be reimbursed upon presentation of the original receipt, provided the Joint Federal Committee recommends the vaccination and it is also publicly recommended in the travel country.
AOK Hessen: Costs for travel vaccinations against cholera, TBE, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, and typhoid, as well as medications for malaria prophylaxis, are reimbursed up to $200 per calendar year.
AOK Niedersachsen: Vaccinations recommended by the Foreign Office and the Standing Vaccination Commission for a travel country are reimbursed 80%, but with a maximum of $500 per year for all additional services combined.
AOK Nordost: Costs for vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and meningococci are covered. In addition, AOK Nordost covers all doctor-prescribed immunizations that exceed the legal entitlement up to $200 per calendar year.
AOK NORDWEST: Travel vaccinations against TBE, rabies, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis, and typhoid, as well as malaria prophylaxis, are reimbursed 80% under the $500 health budget (maximum $500 per year).
AOK Plus: Costs for any medically necessary vaccinations according to the travel guidelines of the Center for Travel Medicine, as well as for malaria prophylaxis, will be reimbursed by AOK Plus.
AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland: Malaria prophylaxis and vaccinations recommended by the Foreign Office and the Stiko for your planned trip will be reimbursed 80% and up to $150 per year.
AOK Rheinland/Hamburg: Vaccinations against cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, TBE, and meningococci are generally covered at 100% if conducted by a contracted physician or a travel medicine center.
AOK Sachsen-Anhalt: Travel vaccinations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) are subsidized as part of the 'Health Account' with up to $300 per calendar year. Benefits of the 'Health Account' include vaccinations against cholera, hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, yellow fever, polio, meningococci, and malaria prophylaxis.

Travel Vaccinations at IKK

A doctor filling a syringe to administer a travel vaccine photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

IKK classic: The vaccine against cholera, TBE, yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza (flu), meningococci, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and typhoid will be reimbursed against presentation of the private prescription, the receipt, and the private invoice from the physician (contracted physician or tropical medicine institute). Medications for malaria prophylaxis are reimbursed up to $50.
IKK Brandenburg and Berlin: Travel vaccinations recommended by the Stiko or corresponding to current travel advice from the Foreign Office are reimbursed at 100%, provided they take place with a contracted physician, in a tropical medicine institute, or at the health office and the travel destination is noted on the original vaccination receipt.
IKK Southwest: For vaccinations recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission, including cholera, TBE, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, meningococci, poliomyelitis, rabies, typhoid, and malaria prophylaxis, up to $150 is reimbursed per calendar year.
IKK - The Innovation Fund: 100% of the costs for travel vaccinations are covered without a limit.
IKK gesund plus: If it is recommended by the Foreign Office and the Stiko, the travel vaccination will be fully covered, as will malaria prophylaxis.

Travel Vaccinations at Techniker Krankenkasse

Travel vaccinations recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission and performed by a contracted physician or the health office are covered by TK. For the vaccine, a co-payment of between $5 and $10 is required.

Travel Vaccinations at BARMER

BARMER reimburses 100% of the costs for travel vaccinations, such as for cholera, TBE, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, meningococci, poliomyelitis, rabies, and typhoid, as well as for malaria prophylaxis.

Travel Vaccinations at DAK Gesundheit

A doctor advising his patient about travel vaccinations — A consultation with the doctor is always advisable photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

Costs for travel vaccinations that protect against cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, and typhoid, as well as malaria prophylaxis, are reimbursed by DAK at 90%.

Standard Travel Vaccinations

A doctor drawing up a syringe photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

To know what specific vaccinations you need for each country, we have outlined the most important ones below. The general vaccination recommendations for Germany are important not only during vacation time, but particularly notable for travelers are two standard vaccinations: against Hepatitis B and Tetanus. Additionally, the COVID vaccination protects you both at home and abroad and can make traveling significantly easier. If you want to learn more about the specific travel vaccinations, simply click on the name.

Specific Travel Vaccinations

As a preliminary note: Inform yourself well before each trip about which vaccinations are important for the respective country - travel medicine experienced doctors and tropical medicine institutes are the preferred contacts. The tropical medicine institute has compiled a destination overview for you for initial information. The travel vaccination recommendations from the Standing Vaccination Commission can also be viewed on the website of the Robert Koch Institute. We are providing you with these example vaccinations to give you a small overview.

Other Travel Diseases

Measures to Prevent Mosquito Bites

A mother spraying her child with mosquito repellent photo by www.urlaubsguru.de

With just a few simple measures, you can counteract an infection from mosquitoes:

Book a room with air conditioning and mosquito nets. This prevents bites from nocturnal mosquitoes, as they tend to stay in warmer environments.
Always use an effective insect repellent at all times of the day and night. You will receive appropriate advice at the pharmacy before departure.
Sleep with an insect net as well, which you can easily pack in your backpack.
Try, if possible, to wear long and airy clothing - this also provides protection against pesky mosquitoes.

Are You Well Prepared for Your Journey?

Do not let yourself be unsettled by any exotic diseases. Simply pay attention to the most important advice while traveling, speak with a physician beforehand, and ensure you receive thorough consultation. Tropical medicine institutes have the best knowledge about which travel vaccinations you need for which area and can assist you before your trip. This way, nothing stands in the way of a healthy return. If you have further useful tips regarding travel vaccinations for us and other world travelers, please share them in the comments!

Everything You Need to Know About Travel Vaccinations