Standing Committee on Vaccination

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The Standing Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute (German: Ständige Impfkommission am Robert-Koch-Institut, German pronunciation: [ˈʃtɛndɪɡə ˈɪmp͡fkɔmɪˌsi̯oːn am ˌʁoːbɛʁt ˈkɔx ɪnstiˌtuːt] ^ⓘ ), or STIKO (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtiːko] ^ⓘ), is a scientific committee comprising 18 members at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, Germany that provides official recommendations for the vaccination schedules used by the individual German states. The committee meets twice yearly to review the latest research regarding vaccination against infectious 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]