5 General information for immunization

Any inoculation counts; even if a primary immunization has been discontinued for years or a booster injection has been carried out too late, it is not necessary to start over again. The interval in between cannot be too long, but the recommendation for the minimum time should be followed.
In general, serologic testing to support decisions for vaccinations generally is not necessary. Over-immunization is not possible, even if a disease has been undergone without clinical signs or the person has been vaccinated against it already.
There is no minimum time required between administration of non-live and live vaccinations, both types of vaccines can be injected simultaneously. Live vaccinations should be administered at the same time or, in case this is not possible, with a minimum interval of four weeks.
Every person, that is to be vaccinated, or the care-giver of the child requiring immunization, must be informed about the vaccine preventable disease. Hand-outs in different languages are available here. [www.rki.de/impfen] Unaccompanied minors can agree to immunizations themselves, if they understand the relevance. In the individual case the vaccinating physician/ general practitioner/ health care worker has to decide, if the youth welfare service is to be involved.
Vaccinations must be documented in a vaccination card that is handed out.
A common cold with sub febrile temperatures is no contraindication against immunization.
Pregnant women can be immunized with non-live vaccinations; live-vaccinations are contraindicated in pregnancy. After accidently administered MMR- or Varicella-vaccinations no foetal damage could be observed.
Breast-feeding women can receive live vaccinations.