Yes, in Germany, basic protection (basic immunity) against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is recommended for all persons aged 18 and over. This basic immunity is achieved when the immune system has had three contacts with components of the pathogen (vaccination) or the pathogen itself (infection). At least one of these contacts should be a vaccination. For some people who have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, annual booster vaccinations against COVID-19 in autumn are also recommended. These include, for example, people aged 60 and over, people aged 6 months and over with certain underlying conditions and residents of care facilities. This also applies to people who have a high risk of infection due to their profession (e.g. in care) and to people who have close contact with people who cannot protect themselves well with a vaccination (e.g. because they have certain illnesses). The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is still widespread in Germany. Vaccination against the coronavirus is the most effective protection against COVID-19, especially against severe disease progression and long-term consequences (Long COVID).

For information on COVID-19 vaccination, see Infection Protection (materials in Ukrainian), among others.

Information material on the COVID-19 vaccination in several languages can be found in the following documents:

You can find more information about protection against infection here: www.infektionsschutz.de.

Protection against infection and severe illness
You can protect yourself against a coronavirus infection by taking various precautions. Fur-ther information can be found here. The COVID-19 vaccination, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), reduces the risk of severe illness. Infor-mation on the STIKO vaccination recommendations can be found here.

Treatment after a coronavirus infection / long-term effects of a coronavirus infection
If you have become infected with the coronavirus and belong to a risk group, please contact your doctor immediately. Ask for advice on treatment with medication. For the most effective results, treatment should be started as early as possible.

Symptoms and course of the illness
An infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause a wide range of different symptoms. Some people who are infected don’t have any symptoms at all. The majority of those af-fected experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover within one to two weeks. Par-ticularly in high-risk groups, however, symptoms can be very severe and can even lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure or embolisms. Following acute infection, some people develop long-term health effects.

After an infection, make sure you get plenty of rest.

Protection against infecting others
If you have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, you should generally stay at home for three to five days. Wearing a mask helps protect others; this is especially important if you cannot fully avoid contact with high-risk individuals despite your symptoms. And above all people who belong to a risk group should also consider this option for their own protec-tion.

More information can be found here and here.

Long COVID

What is long COVID, and where can I find reliable contact points?
Information on long COVID as well as support services, information on the current state of
research and answers to the most important questions about long COVID can be found on the website of the BMG Long COVID initiative.

Further information on long COVID can also be found here.

Vaccinations

Vaccination against COVID-19 shows a high protective effect against severe disease progression or death. Even after infection with the current COVID-19 variants, sufficient immune protection does not build up. You can still become infected again. It is recommended that everyone in Germany aged 18 and over is vaccinated against COVID-19 at least once (for so-called ‘basic immunity’). Some people who are particularly at risk of a severe course of the disease or becoming infected with COVID-19 should also receive annual booster vaccinations against COVID-19 in autumn. These include:

• People aged 60 and over,
• People aged 6 months and older who are particularly at risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 due to an underlying illness
• Residents in care facilities,
• Staff in medical facilities and care facilities (outpatient and inpatient) with direct contact with patients,
• Family members and close contacts of people who cannot protect themselves sufficiently with a COVID-19 vaccination (e.g. due to illness).

You should therefore check whether your vaccination should be boosted next autumn.

Protection from infection

If you have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, you should generally stay at home for three to five days. A mask then helps to protect others; this is particularly important if you cannot completely avoid contact with people at risk despite having symptoms. And above all, people who belong to a risk group should also consider this option for self-protection.

More information can be found at here and here.

Offers of assistance, information on the latest research and answers to the most important questions about long COVID can be found on the Federal Ministry of Health’s Long COVID initiative website: www.bmg-longcovid.de

More information can be found at www.infektionsschutz.de/coronavirus/basisinformationen/long-covid-langzeitfolgen-von-covid-19/