Summary: Vaccination against infectious diseases, especially against infections caused by the influenza virus and pneumococci, has significantly improved the epidemiological situation. Mandatory vaccinations related to the prevention of respiratory diseases include vaccination against tuberculosis and invasive infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae. In individual risk groups (i.e. in the elderly and patients with chronic diseases) and for epidemiological reasons, vaccinations against influenza and S. pneumoniae are recommended. Although vaccines approved for use are safe and well-tolerated, it is important to remember about the risk of post-vaccination reactions, both mild and severe. These reactions are usually mild and do not require intervention, but severe reactions such as syncope, anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioneurotic edema and seizures may also occur. The triggering factors for these adverse reactions may be microbial cells, inactivated toxins and additional vaccine ingredients. Patients with chronic diseases, especially those over 65 years of age, often use medications that modify the response to vaccination. For this reason, these patients require a detailed analysis of the benefits and risks when qualifying for vaccination.