Thuringia Allows Health Offices to Bill Insurance for Vaccinations

A new framework agreement between the Thuringian state government and statutory health insurers permits the 22 regional health offices to administer recommended vaccinations to insured patients and bill the costs directly to the insurers. Participation is voluntary; each office decides based on staffing and facilities, resulting in a patchwork of services. Families could benefit by receiving missing childhood vaccinations at a health office, potentially avoiding an extra visit to a doctor.

The policy aims to improve low uptake rates for booster shots against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, which have hovered around 60 % for years, as well as other vaccines such as FSME. However, the lack of a binding obligation means that coverage will vary across the state.