Arnold et al.
Randomised controlled study on measures to increase vaccination rates among German Armed Forces soldiers.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(14):8568. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148568
National vaccination recommendations not only include standard vaccination, but also recommendations for specific occupational groups and for certain diseases. Soldiers in particular are exposed to special occupational infection risks. In Germany, soldiers receive the following standard vaccinations: tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and influenza. In addition, personnel for assistance and disaster relief operations at home must be vaccinated against TBE.
A randomized and controlled cohort intervention study has been conducted among soldiers at Lent barracks in Rotenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. The study examined whether a computerized reminder system can help increase the vaccination rates of active soldiers over a period of twelve months.
The study showed considerable vaccination gaps among the Bundeswehr soldiers. Vaccination rates for hepatitis A and B, influenza and TBE were well below the desired levels. The vaccination rate for TBE was very low (57% in the beginning of service), which was likely due to the fact that TBE is endemic primarily in southern Germany. The study group was based in northern Germany, and thus there was no indication of TBE vaccination for the civilian sector (following the recommendations of the STIKO). After one year, the TBE vaccination rate had increased to 77%, which remains insufficient and needs to be improved.
In this context, the following publication is also worth a read:
Zawadzka et al.
Analysis of the number and type of vaccinations performed among Polish soldiers in 2018-2021
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):13724. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113724