[Most important vaccinations in patients with rheumatological diseases and why]

For a long time, most of the infectious diseases seemed to have become under control. In particular, vaccinations have contributed to this development. In recent years newly occurring bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens and viral infections, such as the chikungunya virus, influenza epidemics and currently the COVID-19 pandemic, are endangering the world population. This specifically affects patients with rheumatological diseases, who often require immunosuppressive therapy and are thus at risk for infections. Vaccinations can protect those affected, both individually and by generating herd immunity, and are thus an important instrument to reduce morbidity and mortality from infections. Knowledge of the indications and application of the individual vaccinations is particularly important for consistent implementation of the current recommendations.