Vaccination of children

On the basis of the Estonian national immunisation schedule, children from infancy on are vaccinated against 11 infectious diseases, which, in case of infection, could have serious consequences. These diseases are tuberculosis, viral hepatitis B, rotaviral infection, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus infection, measles, mumps and rubella.

At the expense of the patient (price list) it is also possible to vaccinate children against other infectious diseases such as pneumococcal infection, tick-borne encephalitis, flu, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus, Meningococcal infection, chicken pox, etc.

During preschool vaccination is performed by a family nurse or a vaccination office nurse. School children are vaccinated by a school health care professional.

For more detailed information on the vaccination, ask your family doctor and nurse or a specialist or a midwife.

Side effects caused by vaccination are usually mild and transient. After the vaccine injection fever and injection site pain, redness or swelling can occur. The tuberculosis vaccine injection site may have a yellowish exudate – in this case, it must be cleaned with sterile water. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine may cause a short rash, which is not contagious and passes. If your child is restless and tearful, you may give paracetamol. If the child has no fever, bathing can be done on the day of vaccination.

Comprehensive information on infectious diseases and vaccinations can be found at www.vaktsineeri.ee.

Estonian national immunisation schedule calendar

Age of child

Name of the vaccinated disease and number of the administration

12-hours Against hepatitis B (1)
3 to 5 days old Against tuberculosis (1)
1 month Against hepatitis B (2)
2 months Against Rotavirus (1)
3 months  Against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, polio, tetanus, Haemophilus (1) + against rotavirus (2)
4.5 months Against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, polio, tetanus, Haemophilus (2) + against rotavirus (3)
6 months Against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, polio, tetanus, Haemophilus (3)
Against hepatitis B (3)
1 year Against measles, mumps, rubella (1)
2 years  Against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, polio, tetanus, Haemophilus (4)
6 – 7 years Against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus (5)
12 years Against hepatitis B 1, 2, 3 *
13 years Against measles, mumps, rubella (2)
15 – 16 years Against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus (5)
17 years Against diphtheria, tetanus (7) **
From 25th year every 10 years Against diphtheria, tetanus

* Children born in 1995-2003 and previously unvaccinated children against hepatitis B are vaccinated with an interval of 1 month between the first and second doses and an interval of 5 months between the second and third doses of vaccine.

** Children born in 1990-1995 and previously vaccinated on the 12th year against diphtheria-tetanus (dT 6) sixth dose, are revaccinated on the 17th year by using the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) vaccine.