Germany’s vaccine advisory committee raised the routine age for annual COVID-19 boosters to 75, while the latest seasonal data show low flu and COVID-19 vaccination rates among older adults.
In its July 2026 guidance, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) set the routine annual booster recommendation at age 75 and older. It also recommends COVID-19 vaccination for people aged six months and older with specified health risks, care-facility residents, and certain pregnant women, health workers and close contacts of people unlikely to develop protective immunity.
The change raises the routine age threshold from 60. STIKO cited widespread hybrid immunity and declining COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths as reasons for revising the guidance, adding that severe cases and deaths were concentrated among people 75 and older. The update also removed advice that adults establish basic immunity through a minimum number of antigen contacts.
In winter 2024/25, 34% of people aged 60 and older received a flu vaccine and 13% received a seasonal COVID-19 booster, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported. The RKI said flu vaccination coverage reached its lowest reported level in 2024/25, while COVID-19 booster coverage fell from the previous season.
STIKO continues to recommend an annual flu shot for everyone aged 60 and older. The advice also covers pregnant women from the second trimester, or from the first trimester if they have an underlying health risk; people aged six months and older with certain conditions; care-home residents; and some health workers and household contacts of people at risk. For adults 60 and older, STIKO recommends a high-dose or MF-59-adjuvanted vaccine.
RSV vaccination is recommended once before the season for people 75 and older. Adults aged 60 to 74 are also included if they live in a care facility or have specified severe health conditions. Separate age-based guidance recommends a one-time PCV20 pneumococcal vaccine and two shingles doses for adults 60 and older, given two to six months apart.
