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.

Treatment after a coronavirus infection / Long-term effects of a coronavirus infection
If you have been infected with the coronavirus and belong to a risk group, please contact your doctor immediately. Seek advice on early treatment with medication. For these treatments to be most effective, therapy must begin as early as possible.

Symptoms and course of the disease
An infection with SARS-CoV-2 can vary greatly. Some infected people have no symptoms at all. Most experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover within one to two weeks. However, in risk groups, the illness can become very severe, leading to pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or embolism. Some people develop long-term health consequences after the acute infection.

Get plenty of rest after an infection. COVID-19 vaccination, according to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), reduces the risk of severe disease.

You can find information about the STIKO vaccination recommendation here.

Protection against infection
If you have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, you should generally stay home for three to five days. Wearing a mask helps protect others—this is especially important if you cannot completely avoid contact with people at risk. People who belong to a risk group should also consider wearing a mask for their own protection.

More information can be found here and here.

Long COVID
Information about “Long COVID”, support services, the current state of research, and answers to key questions about Long COVID can be found on the website of the BMG Long COVID initiative.

Additional information about “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/