State by state: How to apply for a Covid vaccine appointment in Germany

The German government has opened up coronavirus vaccines to everyone over the age of 12 - but some states are still following priority order lists because there are vaccine dose shortages. Here's a look at the current situation in the 16 states. Note that 12-15 year-olds can only get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. 

Health Minister Jens Spahn also said parents can decide in consultation with doctors on whether to vaccinate children. 

Baden-Württemberg

Anyone can now apply to get a jab at the state's vaccination centres. Appointments can be made online or by phone (116 117). Check out this Ba-Wü site for more information. Both centres and GPs have limited doses available, so may not be able to offer lots of appointments. However, company physicians are also expected to offer on-site jabs from Monday so some employees can expect to be inoculated this way.  

READ ALSO: Germany opens up vaccines to everyone over the age of 12

Bavaria

Bavarian vaccination centres will continue to stick to the priority list for the moment. The online registration system will continue to give priority to citizens from high-risk groups, the state says. These can be arranged online or by phone (116 117).

Berlin

Since mid-May, GPs and specialists have been allowed to vaccinate people outside the priority groups if they have enough doses. Vaccination centres have also taken this step, meaning that slots are available to everyone if they become available. Appointments can be made online or by phone (030 90282200).

Brandenburg

Brandenburg has followed the federal government's recommendation and has removed priority list in both doctors' offices and vaccination centres. Appointments can be made online. However, vaccine is in short supply. Occupational physicians are also being supplied with doses. 

Bremen

In Bremen, vaccination centres are initially continuing to work through the priority lists. However, people aged 18 or over can register on the waiting list online. People in the northern city state can also contact a GP or specialist to see if they have an appointment.

Hamburg

Hamburg will also maintain the priority order for vaccinations at centres for the moment, despite the government announcing that the priority order is lifted. German daily Welt reported that the last 30,000 appointments were booked within a few hours, and no further appointments can currently be made. Medical practices are not following the priority list anymore, meaning that Hamburgers could receive an appointment through their doctor, specialist or a company doctor if they have enough doses and are offering slots.

READ ALSO: How can people in Germany get a Covid vaccine appointment?

Hesse

In Hesse, anyone who wants to be vaccinated can now apply for an appointment, either online or by phone (0611 50592888 or 116 117). However, vaccines are also in short supply in this state. Therefore, the rule for vaccination centres is that although appointments can be made, people in risk groups 1 to 3 still have priority. Currently, about 500,000 people in priority group 3 still don't have a vaccination appointment scheduled. 

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, everyone over the age of 12 can now apply for an appointment for a Covid shot. However, health minister Harry Glawe (CDU) said vaccine supplies are very limited, both at vaccination centres and among GPs. Appointments for vaccination centres have to be made via the hotline (116 117) or online. GP offices have to be contacted directly. Meck-Pomm administers an average of 18,000 vaccinations per day, Glawe said, but it could be twice as many. In June, the state received 560,000 vaccine doses. 

Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony's state premier Stephan Weil (SPD) said he believes the removal of the priority order list - which opens up the possibility of getting a vaccine to everyone - is the right path, but GPs in Lower Saxony say it's too early. Due to the high demand for vaccines, authorities recommend people try to seek an appointment online.

North Rhine-Westphalia

For now, there are no dates for initial vaccine shots in the vaccination centres of North Rhine-Westphalia. Until "at least mid-June" no first appointments will be available in the centres, the NRW health ministry announced. Vaccines there are being set aside for the time being for second vaccinations. Those willing to be vaccinated will have to turn to GPs and company doctors. You can find general information for NRW here.

"As soon as sufficient vaccine is available again, we will release dates for first vaccinations again. We are therefore monitoring the vaccination figures very closely every day," said health minister Karl-Josef Laumann.

The Local previously wrote about concerns over the slow vaccine rollout for people over 60 - who belong to priority group 3, in Dortmund, NRW.

READ ALSO: Why are some parts of Germany still not vaccinating people in their 60s?

Across states, mobile clinics for vaccinating residents are taking place. In Meerbusch, NRW, a drive-in vaccination initiative was held at the weekend. Nearly 3,000 people received the Johnson & Johnson jab in their cars or on foot.

A person getting their jab at a drive-in clinic in Meerbusch. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Henning Kaiser

Rhineland-Palatinate

By the end of summer, every resident, including children over the age of 12, should in all likelihood receive at least one vaccination, according to the state. "Those who have registered in their priority group by June 7th will also be vaccinated on a priority basis after June 7th," said Health Minister Clemens Hoch. After that, he said, it will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The only exception is that people over 70 will still be given priority. Appointments can be made online or by phone (0800 5758100).

Saxony

In doctors' offices, the priority lists were already lifted before June 7th in Saxony - and this step has now been followed in vaccination centres. You can try and book an appointment online or by telephone (0800 0899089) but - as is the case in other states - it may be difficult to secure a slot. 

Saxony-Anhalt

All those who want to be vaccinated can try and make an appointment online or by telephone (116 117). However, the state is currently focusing on providing the second doses to people who've already had their first shot - so it may be more difficult to find an appointment for an initial vaccination. 

Saarland

People can register for a vaccination appointments online or by phone (0681 5014422 and 0800 9991599) in the smallest of Germany's states. The priority list has been lifted in general for both family doctors and in vaccination centres. However, people from priority groups who are still trying to make appointments should still be placed ahead in the line. 

Schleswig-Holstein

The focus of vaccinations in Schleswig-Holstein is in doctors' offices at the moment. Appointments for this can be made individually in coordination with the practices. As a rule, doctors will still continue to prioritise vaccinating people in priority groups 1 to 3 (this now also includes minors between the ages of 12 and 15 who belong to one of the priority groups due to pre-existing conditions, for example). But other people can apply for a vaccine with a GP or specialist. However, vaccine supplies remain limited. In vaccine centres, appointments are still reserved for priority groups. There are currently no slots available.

READ ALSO: Vaccines to be made available to people 12 and over in Germany starting in June

Thuringia

Residents in the eastern state can now book vaccination appointments regardless of age or if they are in a priority group. A total of 45,000 appointments in the vaccination centres have been released for this purpose. One exception is children - Thuringia is still waiting for recommendations from the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) so is not currently allowing appointments for 12-15 year olds even though the federal government gave the green light for this to take place. Appointments can be made online or by phone (03643 4950490).