Chechen Supporter Advocates for Stiko
Hamburg's First Mayor, Peter Tschentscher, has defended the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) in Germany, stating that there is currently no sufficient data basis for a Stiko vaccination recommendation for 12- to 17-year-olds against COVID-19 or similar vaccines.
Tschentscher, a member of the SPD, emphasised the importance of ensuring all adults get vaccinated and urged the public not to subject the Stiko to political pressure. He added that if parents and children wish to be vaccinated, they can do so after appropriate information and consultation.
The current stance of the Stiko on vaccinating 12- to 17-year-olds against COVID-19 or other vaccines is not explicitly detailed in the latest publicly available recommendations. However, the Stiko has issued vaccination recommendations for other age groups and diseases, such as extending vaccination recommendations against Mpox (monkeypox) to people aged 12 and older, and adjusting influenza vaccination recommendations for various risk groups.
The absence of a recommendation for this age group might be due to pending evaluation of evidence or epidemiological considerations, but this is not directly stated in the available documents. Possible reasons could include waiting for sufficient data on safety and efficacy, the low risk of severe disease in this age group, or the current epidemiological situation not warranting broad vaccination.
Tschentscher reiterated that the Stiko is the most competent body in Germany for vaccine-related matters and is highly recognized in medicine. He encouraged the public to consult the Stiko's official website or recent bulletins for the most precise and up-to-date recommendations.
References: [1] Stiko (2025). Mpox vaccination recommendations extended to people aged 12 and older. Retrieved from https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Mpox/Mpox_Impfempfehlungen.html [2] Stiko (2025). Influenza vaccination recommendations adjusted for various risk groups. Retrieved from https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Mpox/Mpox_Impfempfehlungen.html
The science of health-and-wellness includes the field of vaccinology, with the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) in Germany issuing recommendations for vaccinating certain age groups and diseases. For instance, the Stiko has recommended Mpox vaccinations for individuals aged 12 and above, as well as adjusted influenza vaccination recommendations for various risk groups.
Despite the absence of a specific recommendation for 12- to 17-year-olds against COVID-19 or similar vaccines, the Stiko continues to be the most competent body in Germany for vaccine-related matters, with a reliance on an adequate data basis and epidemiological considerations before issuing recommendations.
