What to expect and where to go if you want to get vaccinated

Vaccination procedures

In Estonia, vaccination is voluntary.

For children, the decision is made by a parent or legal guardian, who provides written consent. A healthcare professional will help you make an informed decision—they will answer your questions and explain, using science-based information, how vaccines work and what to expect from them.

Before administering the vaccine:

the healthcare professional will assess your health status,
discuss possible contraindications,
and provide an information sheet on the vaccine’s effects and possible reactions.

Vaccination under the National Immunization Schedule is free in Estonia; it is administered at family health centers and schools depending on the child’s age. Read more about childhood vaccinations.

For vaccines not included in the national program (e.g., tick-borne encephalitis, flu, and travel vaccines), you can get vaccinated at a family doctor’s office, an infectious disease clinic, a private practice, and many pharmacies. This service is fee-based, and the price is set by the service provider. Read more about vaccines available in Estonia.

Where can you get vaccinated?

You can get vaccinated at pharmacies across Estonia.

You can also get vaccinated at many healthcare facilities. Find the healthcare facility that best suits your needs from Health Portal.

You can get vaccinated at pharmacies across Estonia.

You can also get vaccinated at many healthcare facilities. Find the healthcare facility that best suits your needs from Health Portal.

You can get vaccinated at pharmacies across Estonia.

You can also get vaccinated at many healthcare facilities. Find the healthcare facility that best suits your needs from Health Portal.

You can get vaccinated at pharmacies across Estonia.

You can also get vaccinated at many healthcare facilities. Find the healthcare facility that best suits your needs from Health Portal.

How is vaccination recorded?

The healthcare provider must submit all data regarding your vaccination to the health information system.

The vaccination is recorded in both the immunization record (paper or electronic) and the immunization passport and health card. Your name and age, the exact name of the vaccine administered, the date of administration, the vaccine batch number, and the expiration date are noted there.

The healthcare provider must submit all data regarding your vaccination to the health information system.

The immunization passport belongs to you and must always be brought along when you go for a vaccination. The passport is also required when traveling abroad or going to study abroad, if proof of certain vaccinations is needed.

The newborn immunization record is given to the parent at the maternity ward. For older children, it can be obtained from a family doctor or another healthcare provider.

Vaccination in Special Cases

Vaccination of Older Adults

In one’s fifties, the immune system begins to gradually weaken. This increases the risk of contracting various diseases.

People with immunodeficiency can be vaccinated with inactivated vaccines (live-attenuated vaccines are not used for them). It is important to note that:

it may take longer for immunity to develop;
the immune response may be weaker (this should be checked through testing);
in cases of low immunity, a booster dose or additional vaccination is sometimes necessary.

The following are not contraindications for vaccination:

fever below 38.5 °C,
antibiotic treatment,
local corticosteroid treatment,
asthma,
eczema,
atopy,
hay fever,
or exposure to an infectious disease.

It is also not a problem if it is not known exactly which vaccines a person has previously received.

People with immunodeficiency can be vaccinated with inactivated vaccines (live-attenuated vaccines are not used for them). It is important to note that:

it may take longer for immunity to develop;
the immune response may be weaker (this should be checked through testing);
in cases of low immunity, a booster dose or additional vaccination is sometimes necessary.

The following are not contraindications for vaccination:

fever below 38.5 °C,
antibiotic treatment,
local corticosteroid treatment,
asthma,
eczema,
atopy,
hay fever,
or exposure to an infectious disease.

It is also not a problem if it is not known exactly which vaccines a person has previously received.

For older adults with weakened immune systems (especially those aged 65 and older), influenza and pneumococcal infection are dangerous. We recommend getting vaccinated against pneumococcus every five years (PCV13 or PPV23) and against influenza every season. People over 50 should also consider getting vaccinated against shingles.

All people aged 65 and older who come into contact with infants under one year of age should get a booster shot for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Recommended vaccines for specific conditions

Against influenza in cases of asthma, chronic heart, lung, liver, and kidney diseases, and diabetes.
Against pneumococcal infection in cases of kidney failure and nephrosis.
Against influenza and pneumococcal infection in people with cancer.
During and after chemotherapy, patients may be vaccinated with inactivated vaccines.
For autoimmune diseases (particularly rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus) in older adults receiving immunosuppressive therapy, against influenza and pneumococcal infection.

Vaccines are not administered during periods of severe neutropenia (neutrophils < 0.5 × 10⁹/L).

All people aged 65 and older who come into contact with infants under one year of age should get a booster shot for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Recommended vaccines for specific conditions

Against influenza in cases of asthma, chronic heart, lung, liver, and kidney diseases, and diabetes.
Against pneumococcal infection in cases of kidney failure and nephrosis.
Against influenza and pneumococcal infection in people with cancer.
During and after chemotherapy, patients may be vaccinated with inactivated vaccines.
For autoimmune diseases (particularly rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus) in older adults receiving immunosuppressive therapy, against influenza and pneumococcal infection.

Vaccines are not administered during periods of severe neutropenia (neutrophils < 0.5 × 10⁹/L).

Vaccination for People at Risk Due to Their Work

If your work involves exposure to infectious diseases, your employer must arrange and pay for the vaccinations necessary to protect you. Specific sources of risk are identified in the risk assessment prepared by the employer.

It is also the employer’s responsibility to ensure safe working conditions, monitor compliance with infection control requirements, and, if necessary, arrange for preventive health screenings or emergency immunizations for employees.

The employer is also responsible for ensuring that pathogens do not spread during work processes and that infectious waste is handled properly.

Who is at risk due to their work?

Healthcare workers

Vaccination is recommended for the following employees:

medical staff and students at medical schools and higher education institutions in the healthcare sector who come into contact with blood and blood components against hepatitis B;
staff in the reception departments of healthcare facilities and other staff who come into contact with patients (including family physicians) against influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;
staff in pediatric and hematology-oncology departments (non-immune) against measles, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox;
social workers dealing with patients exhibiting risky behavior against hepatitis B.

Healthcare workers

Vaccination is recommended for the following employees:

medical staff and students at medical schools and higher education institutions in the healthcare sector who come into contact with blood and blood components against hepatitis B;
staff in the reception departments of healthcare facilities and other staff who come into contact with patients (including family physicians) against influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis;
staff in pediatric and hematology-oncology departments (non-immune) against measles, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox;
social workers dealing with patients exhibiting risky behavior against hepatitis B.

Staff at long-term care and rehabilitation facilities

Vaccination is recommended:

for people in contact with care recipients or patients against pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria and tetanus, and seasonal influenza;
for home care providers against hepatitis B and influenza.

Since it is not possible to vaccinate care recipients and patients with immunodeficiency (or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy) with live attenuated vaccines, protective vaccinations are administered to care and healthcare workers who are in close contact with them. They are vaccinated against measles, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox, and those over 50 are also vaccinated against shingles (if they have not had it).

Staff at long-term care and rehabilitation facilities

Vaccination is recommended:

for people in contact with care recipients or patients against pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria and tetanus, and seasonal influenza;
for home care providers against hepatitis B and influenza.

Laboratory workers

Vaccination is recommended for workers in microbiology and virology laboratories who handle infectious materials against the vaccine-preventable infectious diseases whose causative agents are studied in the laboratory.

Laboratory workers

Veterinary workers and animal and poultry handlers

Vaccination is recommended against tetanus (with Td or Tdap vaccine), rabies, influenza, and other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases based on the results of a risk assessment of work-related exposure.

Veterinary workers and animal and poultry handlers

Social workers

Vaccination is recommended:

against influenza for social workers in contact with adult clients; against diphtheria, pertussis (with the Tdap vaccine), and influenza for social workers in contact with children and adolescents;
for social workers in healthcare facilities who work with patients exhibiting risky behavior: against hepatitis B.

Social workers

Vaccination is recommended:

against influenza for social workers in contact with adult clients; against diphtheria, pertussis (with the Tdap vaccine), and influenza for social workers in contact with children and adolescents;
for social workers in healthcare facilities who work with patients exhibiting risky behavior: against hepatitis B.

Teachers in daycare centers, schools, and extracurricular activities

Vaccination is recommended:

against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (with the Tdap vaccine), measles, rubella, and mumps (with the MMR vaccine) if the corresponding antibodies are absent in the blood, and against seasonal influenza;
For kindergarten teachers and childcare providers: against hepatitis A.

Teachers in daycare centers, schools, and extracurricular activities

Vaccination is recommended:

against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (with the Tdap vaccine), measles, rubella, and mumps (with the MMR vaccine) if the corresponding antibodies are absent in the blood, and against seasonal influenza;
For kindergarten teachers and childcare providers: against hepatitis A.

Members of the Defense Forces and Border Guards

It is recommended to be vaccinated against tetanus (with Td or Tdap vaccine), hepatitis B, influenza, tick-borne encephalitis, and other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases based on an epidemiological risk assessment or medical indication.

Those heading on foreign missions should get vaccinated according to the situation in the destination area.

Members of the Defense Forces and Border Guards

Those heading on foreign missions should get vaccinated according to the situation in the destination area.

Police and rescue workers

It is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus (with the Td or Tdap vaccine), and influenza.

Correctional facility staff

It is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus (with Td or Tdap vaccine), and influenza, as well as against other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases based on the results of a work-related risk assessment.

Police and rescue workers

It is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus (with the Td or Tdap vaccine), and influenza.

Correctional facility staff

Farm, horticultural, and forestry workers (including students on work placements) and hunters

Vaccination is recommended for farm and horticultural workers against tetanus (with Td or Tdap vaccine), and for forestry workers and hunters against tetanus, as well as against rabies and tick-borne encephalitis in high-risk areas.

Farm, horticultural, and forestry workers (including students on work placements) and hunters

Waste and wastewater management workers

Vaccination against hepatitis A and tetanus (with the Td vaccine) is recommended, and in other cases in accordance with epidemiological indications.

Waste and wastewater management workers

Vaccination against hepatitis A and tetanus (with the Td vaccine) is recommended, and in other cases in accordance with epidemiological indications.

Other at-risk workers

Vaccination is recommended:

for providers of services involving skin-piercing procedures (tattooing, piercing, acupuncture, etc.) and beauty services against hepatitis B and tetanus (with the Td or Tdap vaccine), and for autopsy room staff against hepatitis B;
for food service workers against hepatitis A;
for people living in or frequently visiting tick-infested areas (from one year of age) against tick-borne encephalitis;
adults who have pregnant women, children under 12 months of age in their household, or who come into contact with a patient suspected of having whooping cough, against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. This should be done regardless of the time that has elapsed since the last relevant booster shot.

A separate risk group consists of people who travel frequently for work and may be exposed to pathogens while en route or in the destination country, which may not be directly related to the nature of their work. For example, an office worker staying in an area with contaminated drinking water can also contract hepatitis A.

Other at-risk workers

Vaccination is recommended:

for providers of services involving skin-piercing procedures (tattooing, piercing, acupuncture, etc.) and beauty services against hepatitis B and tetanus (with the Td or Tdap vaccine), and for autopsy room staff against hepatitis B;
for food service workers against hepatitis A;
for people living in or frequently visiting tick-infested areas (from one year of age) against tick-borne encephalitis;
adults who have pregnant women, children under 12 months of age in their household, or who come into contact with a patient suspected of having whooping cough, against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. This should be done regardless of the time that has elapsed since the last relevant booster shot.

Other at-risk workers

Vaccination is recommended:

for providers of services involving skin-piercing procedures (tattooing, piercing, acupuncture, etc.) and beauty services against hepatitis B and tetanus (with the Td or Tdap vaccine), and for autopsy room staff against hepatitis B;
for food service workers against hepatitis A;
for people living in or frequently visiting tick-infested areas (from one year of age) against tick-borne encephalitis;
adults who have pregnant women, children under 12 months of age in their household, or who come into contact with a patient suspected of having whooping cough, against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. This should be done regardless of the time that has elapsed since the last relevant booster shot.

Other at-risk workers

Vaccination is recommended:

for providers of services involving skin-piercing procedures (tattooing, piercing, acupuncture, etc.) and beauty services against hepatitis B and tetanus (with the Td or Tdap vaccine), and for autopsy room staff against hepatitis B;
for food service workers against hepatitis A;
for people living in or frequently visiting tick-infested areas (from one year of age) against tick-borne encephalitis;
adults who have pregnant women, children under 12 months of age in their household, or who come into contact with a patient suspected of having whooping cough, against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. This should be done regardless of the time that has elapsed since the last relevant booster shot.

Travel Vaccinations

If you’re planning a trip, you can get advice and the necessary vaccines from a travel medicine clinic or your family doctor.

Before your trip, it’s a good idea to check which vaccinations you’ve already received. It’s best if you’ve been vaccinated against mumps, measles, and rubella (two doses of the MMR vaccine), as well as against polio. Booster doses for diphtheria and tetanus should have been administered within the last ten years.

More detailed information is available on the Health Board website.

If you’re planning a trip, you can get advice and the necessary vaccines from a travel medicine clinic or your family doctor.

More detailed information is available on the Health Board website.

I want to get vaccinated

Vaccination procedures

Where can you get vaccinated?

How is vaccination recorded?

Vaccination in Special Cases

Vaccination of Older Adults

Recommended vaccines for specific conditions

Recommended vaccines for specific conditions

Vaccination for People at Risk Due to Their Work

Healthcare workers

Healthcare workers

Staff at long-term care and rehabilitation facilities

Staff at long-term care and rehabilitation facilities

Laboratory workers

Laboratory workers

Veterinary workers and animal and poultry handlers

Veterinary workers and animal and poultry handlers

Social workers

Social workers

Teachers in daycare centers, schools, and extracurricular activities

Teachers in daycare centers, schools, and extracurricular activities

Members of the Defense Forces and Border Guards

Members of the Defense Forces and Border Guards

Police and rescue workers

Correctional facility staff

Police and rescue workers

Correctional facility staff

Farm, horticultural, and forestry workers (including students on work placements) and hunters

Farm, horticultural, and forestry workers (including students on work placements) and hunters

Waste and wastewater management workers

Waste and wastewater management workers

Other at-risk workers

Other at-risk workers

Other at-risk workers

Other at-risk workers

Travel Vaccinations