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| Ständige Impfkommission am Robert-Koch-Institut | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1972 (1972) |
| Jurisdiction | Germany |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Robert Koch Institute |
| Website | www |
TheStanding Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute (German:Ständige Impfkommission am Robert-Koch-Institut,German pronunciation:[ˈʃtɛndɪɡəˈɪmp͡fkɔmɪˌsi̯oːnamˌʁoːbɛʁtˈkɔxɪnstiˌtuːt]ⓘ), orSTIKO (German pronunciation:[ˈʃtiːko]ⓘ), is ascientific committee comprising 18 members at theRobert Koch Institute inBerlin,Germany that provides official recommendations for thevaccination schedules used by the individual German states. The committee meets twice yearly to review the latest research regardingvaccination againstinfectious diseases. Although the STIKO makes recommendations, immunization in Germany is voluntary and there are no official government recommendations.German Federal States typically follow the STIKO's recommendations minimally, although each state can make recommendations for their geographic jurisdiction that extends beyond the recommended list.[1] In addition to the proposed immunization schedule for children and adults, the STIKO recommends vaccinations for occupational groups, police, travelers, and other at risk groups.[1]
The STIKO was established in 1972 as a department of theGerman Federal Health Agency in Berlin. During a reorganization of the Federal Health Agency in 1994, the STIKO was attached to theRobert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin which was now an independentUpper-level federal agency under the purview of theFederal Ministry of Health (BMG). RKI compiles data of immunization status upon the entry of children at school, and measures vaccine coverage of Germany at a national level.[1]
The legal basis for the STIKO is §20 of the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, orIfSG). Members of the expert body are appointed by the Federal Ministry of Health in coordination with the state ministries of health. Additional expert representatives from thePaul Ehrlich Institute, Robert Koch Institute Federal and state ministries of health attend the meetings in an advisory capacity.[2]
The commission's responsibility is to provide scientifically based recommendations regarding the necessary vaccinations in Germany. Due to the importance of the recommendations, these have been codified in the Infection Protection Act since 2001. In accordance with the goals of the Infection Protection Act, the recommendations are focused on vaccinations that are most relevant to the protection ofpublic health.
The law does not require the commission to performcost–benefit analysis on individual vaccinations. The commission's recommendations are based on a vaccine'srisk–benefit ratio, evaluating the effectiveness of avaccine versus any risks posed. The commission has developed criteria to minimizevaccine injuries caused byside effects.
German health insurance companies are obligated to cover the cost of any immunizations recommended by the STIKO after they have been reviewed theFederal Joint Committee (G-BA). The G-BA generally adopts the commission's recommendations, although minor differences do exist.
The members of the STIKO are appointed by theFederal Ministry for Health for 3-year terms.[3] The members servepro bono publico. Members include experts from many scientific disciplines and public health fields and professionals with extensive experience on vaccination.[4]
For the period of 2024 through 2027, the commission has the following members:[5]