Childhood Vaccinations
Childhood vaccinations are an effective way to protect children from serious infectious diseases.
Every child’s body is protected by the immune system. We can strengthen this system by taking into account its unique characteristics. With the help of vaccines received in childhood, a child’s body can successfully fight pathogens in the future and protect itself independently.
Why start early?
Some infectious diseases are particularly dangerous for young children. Although a child receives protection against certain diseases through the mother’s immunization during pregnancy and through breast milk after birth, this protection is temporary and wears off over time.
For some diseases, such as whooping cough, early vaccination is particularly important because children’s airways are narrower and their risk of dying from severe illness is higher than that of adults.
Vaccination prevents severe illnesses that can be life-threatening at a young age.
Who administers the vaccines and where can you get vaccinated?
- Newborns are vaccinated against tuberculosis at the maternity ward.
- Infants are vaccinated by a family doctor or nurse.
- School-age children and adolescents are vaccinated by a school nurse.
The parent’s role is to bring the child for vaccination at the right time and to give consent for it. For vaccinations at school, the parent’s written consent is required. If a parent decides to decline the vaccination, this decision must also be documented in writing.
If you have questions, it is the healthcare provider’s responsibility to answer them clearly and comprehensively.
National Immunization Schedule
National Immunization Schedule(Opens in new tab) ensures that every child receives timely and science-based protection against diseases that previously caused severe complications or even death.
The goal of the National Immunization Schedule is to ensure timely and comprehensive vaccination of children and adolescents. To this end, the government procures the vaccines specified in the schedule.
In developing the National Immunization Schedule, experts have taken the following into account:
- which infectious diseases can be prevented with vaccines;
- at what age children are at the highest risk of infection;
- when it is most appropriate to vaccinate a child from the perspective of their health;
- what has been proven by scientific research regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Good to know!
The state also provides flu vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 7 years (inclusive) and for minors over 7 years of age who are at higher risk of severe flu.
Simultaneous vaccination against multiple infectious diseases provides the same protection as administering individual vaccines separately. However, with combination vaccines, multiple injections are not required, and fewer adjuvants enter the body.
Vaccination against multiple diseases at the same time does not increase the likelihood of side effects.
Good to know!
The state also provides flu vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 7 years (inclusive) and for minors over 7 years of age who are at higher risk of severe flu.
Simultaneous vaccination against multiple infectious diseases provides the same protection as administering individual vaccines separately. However, with combination vaccines, multiple injections are not required, and fewer adjuvants enter the body.
Vaccination against multiple diseases at the same time does not increase the likelihood of side effects.
In addition to the vaccines included in the immunization schedule, children can also be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis. Since this vaccine is not included in the national immunization schedule, you must pay for it yourself. To do this, you must contact a healthcare institution that is suitable for you.
Check the EHIF website(Opens in new tab) to see which vaccines (paid for) are given to children in Estonia outside the immunization schedule and when.
In addition to the vaccines included in the immunization schedule, children can also be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis. Since this vaccine is not included in the national immunization schedule, you must pay for it yourself. To do this, you must contact a healthcare institution that is suitable for you.
Check the EHIF website(Opens in new tab) to see which vaccines (paid for) are given to children in Estonia outside the immunization schedule and when.
In addition to the vaccines included in the immunization schedule, children can also be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis. Since this vaccine is not included in the national immunization schedule, you must pay for it yourself. To do this, you must contact a healthcare institution that is suitable for you.
Check the EHIF website(Opens in new tab) to see which vaccines (paid for) are given to children in Estonia outside the immunization schedule and when.
In addition to the vaccines included in the immunization schedule, children can also be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis. Since this vaccine is not included in the national immunization schedule, you must pay for it yourself. To do this, you must contact a healthcare institution that is suitable for you.
Check the EHIF website(Opens in new tab) to see which vaccines (paid for) are given to children in Estonia outside the immunization schedule and when.