How do I get the HPV vaccine in Germany, and does insurance pay?

Usually your family doctor gives the vaccine, though some family doctors send you to a gynaecologist (Frauenarzt). Ask before you book.

The doctor writes a prescription, you collect the vaccine from the pharmacy and take it back to the practice, where you get the injection. Each dose is recorded in your vaccination card (Impfpass).

The HPV vaccine can be given from age 9. At a young age it is usually 2 doses, later 3 doses.

In Germany each dose costs about 180-206 euros. Some practices charge an extra 15-25 euros to give the injection.

Statutory insurance pays for children and young people. For adults it varies a lot. Insurers such as TK and AOK have reimbursed all three doses, but in other cases they paid for one dose or nothing. Email your insurer before the vaccination and get written approval, then send in the invoices.

You can have some doses in Turkey and some in Germany. Stay with the vaccine you started with (for example Gardasil 9) and have every dose recorded in your vaccination card.

If you bring the vaccine from Turkey yourself, keep it cold. Carry it in a cool bag with ice packs and put it straight into the fridge when you arrive. Ask beforehand whether your doctor will give a vaccine you brought.