Autumn vaccinations 2026 in Germany: what STIKO now recommends

For autumn and winter 2026/27, Germany's Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends the annual COVID-19 vaccination as a routine vaccination only from age 75, and has dropped the recommendation to build basic immunity in adults (decision of 9 July 2026) ([1]). Influenza vaccination remains routine from age 60, using a high-dose or MF-59-adjuvanted vaccine ([2]). A single RSV vaccination remains routine from age 75 ([2]). For infants, clesrovimab has been recommended alongside nirsevimab since 10 September 2026 ([3]).

As of October 2026. Applies to Germany. Austria, Switzerland and other countries follow their own national schedules. Always check the summary of product characteristics.

COVID-19: new recommendation since July 2026

STIKO states that most adults now have hybrid immunity, so the recommendation to build basic immunity no longer applies, including for healthy pregnant women ([1]). The following groups should be vaccinated once per season, preferably at the start of the season in late summer or early autumn, with an authorised, variant-adapted mRNA or protein-based vaccine ([1]):

• people aged ≥75
• residents of care homes, and people at increased risk living in assisted-living facilities
• people aged ≥6 months with an underlying condition that raises the risk of severe COVID-19
• pregnant women with an underlying condition or pregnancy complications (e.g. gestational diabetes, hypertension), from the second trimester
• care-home staff with direct resident contact
• healthcare staff with increased occupational exposure (e.g. emergency department, ICU) or who care for high-risk patients
• family members and close contacts (≥6 months) of people who are not expected to respond to vaccination

When indicated, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines can be given at the same visit ([2]).

Influenza

• Routine from age 60: annual vaccination in autumn or winter with an inactivated high-dose or MF-59-adjuvanted vaccine of the current WHO composition. STIKO considers the two equivalent. If neither can be given for medical reasons, a standard vaccine may be used ([2]).
• Indications (selection): all pregnant women from the second trimester, or from the first trimester if they have an underlying condition. Also people aged ≥6 months with chronic conditions (e.g. respiratory, cardiovascular, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, immunodeficiency), care-home residents, and household contacts of high-risk people ([2]).
• New since 2025: an indication for people with frequent direct contact with pigs, poultry, wild birds or seals, because of the spread of H5Nx ([2]).
• Children: children up to 9 years being vaccinated for the first time get 2 doses 4 weeks apart. Children aged 2–17 can alternatively receive the nasal live vaccine (LAIV) ([2]).
• Coverage gap: over 11 seasons, only about 10% of children and adolescents with a qualifying condition were vaccinated against influenza. STIKO urges timely vaccination ([4]).

RSV

• Adults aged ≥75: a single dose of a protein-based vaccine (Arexvy, Abrysvo) or the mRNA vaccine mResvia, ideally in late summer or autumn ([2]).
• Ages 60–74: an indication-based vaccination for people with severe chronic disease (e.g. respiratory, cardiovascular, kidney, haemato-oncological disease, diabetes with complications, severe immunodeficiency) and for care-home residents ([2]).
• STIKO cannot yet say whether booster doses will be needed. According to the product information, RSV vaccines can be co-administered with influenza and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines ([2]).
• Infants: all newborns and infants should receive a long-acting monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab or (new) clesrovimab, in their first RSV season ([3]). Infants born between April and September should receive it in autumn, before the season starts. Infants born during the season (usually October to March) should receive it as soon as possible after birth ([2]). Doses per STIKO: nirsevimab 50 mg if <5 kg and 100 mg if ≥5 kg ([2]); clesrovimab 105 mg regardless of body weight ([3]).

Pneumococcal and herpes zoster

• Pneumococcal from age 60: PCV20. People previously given PPSV23 should receive PCV20 at least 6 years later ([2]).
• Herpes zoster from age 60: two doses of the adjuvanted subunit (inactivated) vaccine, 2–6 months apart. There is also an indication from age 18 for people with immunodeficiency or severe chronic disease ([2]).

Where the season stands

ECDC reports that consultations for respiratory illness are rising in most EU/EEA countries. Influenza is still at baseline and RSV activity is low (week 38/2026 data) ([5]). Now is a good time to close vaccination gaps.

Sources

1. STIKO. Update of the COVID-19 vaccination recommendation 2026. Epid Bull 28/2026 (9 July 2026; German with English summary): https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/Epidemiologisches-Bulletin/2026/28_26.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
2. STIKO. Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination 2026. Epid Bull 4/2026 (with amendment notes): https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/Epidemiologisches-Bulletin/2026/04_26.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
3. STIKO. RSV prevention with long-acting monoclonal antibodies (clesrovimab or nirsevimab). Epid Bull 37/2026: https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/Epidemiologisches-Bulletin/2026/37_26.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
4. STIKO. Statement on influenza vaccination for children and adolescents with underlying conditions. Epid Bull 38/2026: https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/Epidemiologisches-Bulletin/2026/38_26.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
5. ECDC. Communicable disease threats report, week 41, 2026: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/communicable-disease-threats-report-3-9-october-week-41