STIKO vaccination recommendations: Vaccination of immunodeficient patients and vaccination against COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The working methods of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) and its recommendations are only partially known by medical professionals and the public. Objectives: Methodology of the standard operating procedure of the STIKO, annual vaccination recommendations, normal vaccination reaction versus vaccination side effects, instructions for vaccination in case of immunodeficiency, and recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination are presented. Materials and methods: Presentation of the path to a vaccination recommendation, differences between recommendations and instructions for action, key statements on vaccination in immunodeficiency, and summary of the data situation on COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Results: The STIKO works purely on an evidence-based basis by systematically evaluating the existing preclinical and clinical studies results for a vaccine using the GRADE method. Only vaccination complications and vaccination injuries are notifiable. Immunodeficient patients can receive inactivated vaccines at any time, but generally not live vaccines. Based on current knowledge, the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination can be described as safe and effective. Conclusions: The STIKO vaccination recommendations are considered as the medical standard. The published current instructions for vaccination of immunodeficient patients and the recently published recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination, together with their scientific backgrounds and reasons, represent a valuable basis for medical action in the field of vaccination against infectious diseases.