Vaccinations for Adults
Some vaccines received during childhood need to be updated as an adult.
It is recommended to get vaccinated against certain diseases, such as the flu or tick-borne encephalitis, specifically as an adult. Your family doctor can help you determine what protection you currently have and what might need to be updated.
At the start of flu season, a free flu vaccine is offered to people at higher risk of severe illness.
The at-risk group includes:
- people living in nursing homes or receiving specialized care or community living services;
- people aged 60 and older;
- children aged 6 months to 7 years (inclusive);
- pregnant women;
- 8–18-year-olds who are at higher risk of severe illness due to their health condition (cardiovascular diseases, oncological diseases, immunodeficiency, diabetes, or chronic lung disease).
From autumn 2026, the flu vaccine will also be free for adults with a chronic condition that increases their risk of developing a severe case of the flu. If you are aged 18–59 and have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you are eligible for a free vaccination.
Detailed information on at-risk groups (PDF, EST)(Opens in new tab)
From autumn 2026, the flu vaccine will also be free for adults with a chronic condition that increases their risk of developing a severe case of the flu. If you are aged 18–59 and have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you are eligible for a free vaccination.
Detailed information on at-risk groups (PDF, EST)(Opens in new tab)
From autumn 2026, the flu vaccine will also be free for adults with a chronic condition that increases their risk of developing a severe case of the flu. If you are aged 18–59 and have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you are eligible for a free vaccination.
Detailed information on at-risk groups (PDF, EST)(Opens in new tab)
From autumn 2026, the flu vaccine will also be free for adults with a chronic condition that increases their risk of developing a severe case of the flu. If you are aged 18–59 and have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you are eligible for a free vaccination.
Detailed information on at-risk groups (PDF, EST)(Opens in new tab)
If your vaccination series is incomplete
Regardless of whether you know your vaccination history exactly or not, it is advisable to consult your family doctor to determine the need for booster shots.
The need for vaccination depends on the following factors:
- which vaccines you have received previously;
- what your work-related risks are (which pathogens you are exposed to due to your profession);
- what the epidemiological situation is in Estonia and neighboring countries;
- where and for how long you plan to travel in the near future.
Regardless of whether you know your vaccination history exactly or not, it is advisable to consult your family doctor to determine the need for booster shots.
The need for vaccination depends on the following factors:
- which vaccines you have received previously;
- what your work-related risks are (which pathogens you are exposed to due to your profession);
- what the epidemiological situation is in Estonia and neighboring countries;
- where and for how long you plan to travel in the near future.
If your vaccination series has been interrupted for any reason, keep in mind that even the first dose has already activated your immune system. This has established immune memory, which may weaken over time but does not disappear.
Each subsequent dose helps restore this immune memory and strengthens your natural defenses.
This means that you do not need to start the vaccination series over from the beginning or receive additional doses—you simply continue where you left off.
In addition to the vaccines included in the national immunization schedule, you can get vaccinated against several other infectious diseases if you wish.
If you belong to a risk group or plan to travel to an area where a disease is spreading, you should definitely get vaccinated.
If necessary, consult your family doctor or nurse—they can help you decide which vaccinations are important for you.
See also the Health Board’s information(Opens in new tab) on risk groups and recommended vaccines.
Good to know!
Under the national immunization program, adults can get free vaccinations against diphtheria and tetanus.
Other vaccinations are subject to a fee.
Good to know!
Under the national immunization program, adults can get free vaccinations against diphtheria and tetanus.
Other vaccinations are subject to a fee.
Diseases against which adults are vaccinated
- Hepatitis A (HepA)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- COVID-19
- Diphtheria and tetanus (dT)
- Influenza
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Yellow fever
- Typhoid fever
- Hepatitis A (HepA)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- COVID-19
- Diphtheria and tetanus (dT)
- Influenza
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Yellow fever
- Typhoid fever
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Meningococcal disease
- Pneumococcal disease
- Polio
- Tick-borne encephalitis
- Chickenpox
- Shingles
View the adult vaccination schedule on the Estonian Health Insurance Fund's website(Opens in new tab).