Impfstoffe gegen COVID-19

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic represents an emergency situation of devastating proportions. To mitigate its effects, several safe and effective vaccines have been developed in a very short period of time. Currently, four vaccines have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and are in use in Germany. These include two mRNA vaccines and two vector-based vaccines. They all show very good protective efficacy, especially against severe courses of disease and can significantly contain the pandemic by reducing viral transmission. This article focuses on the development and mechanism of action of the vaccines, their safety and efficacy profile as well as indications for vaccination and current recommendations for the use of vaccines in special groups of people, such as convalescent, immunosuppressed and pregnant patients. Finally, currently open scientific questions are addressed.