Everything you need to know about vaccination
In Luxembourg and elsewhere, vaccination does not always have a good reputation among the population. Adverse effects, dangers, harmful presence of aluminum... The subject fuels debate. We sawthis during the Covid-19 crisis with pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine advocates.
What do Luxembourg regulations say about vaccination? Is it mandatory? Which vaccines are recommended? What are the requirements before traveling abroad?
The positive effects of vaccination on disease prevention are undeniable. Vaccines protect the population from dangerous diseases.
Here is everything you need to know about vaccination in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Free vaccination against COVID-19
During the coronavirus pandemic, Luxembourg very quickly vaccinated its population against Covid-19. Today, vaccination remains recommended for vulnerable people, in the same way as the flu vaccine.
You can get vaccinated by appointment at the following locations:
- Doctor's offices
- Pharmacies
Do you have Covid symptoms? You can self-test using tests available at pharmacies.
Vaccination and regulations in Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, vaccinations are not mandatory. However , public health authorities recommend following the national vaccination schedule.
While vaccination is an individual right, it is also a collective responsibility. The authorities recommend vaccinating children. Adults are also encouraged to get various vaccinations. This includes vaccinations against polio, tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria.
In Luxembourg, general practitioners administer all necessary vaccinations. Contact your doctor's office to make an appointment.
The Luxembourg government covers the cost of vaccinations for infants and children for vaccines included in the vaccination schedule.
Vaccination recommendations in Luxembourg
Although there are no regulations on this matter, vaccination of children is strongly recommended in Luxembourg. By vaccinating their children, parents protect them against dangerous and even fatal diseases.
Adults are also encouraged to get vaccinated against certain diseases. Vaccination helps to combat serious diseases.
You can check online to see if you are up to date with the recommended vaccinations in Luxembourg.
Vaccination schedule in Luxembourg
From the first vaccination, patients are given a vaccination record. This allows them to keep track of the injections they have received from an early age and check their vaccination protection. It contains the name of the vaccine, the date of the injection, the batch number, and usually the date of the next booster shot.
The Luxembourg health authorities have established a vaccination schedule. This provides vaccination recommendations for infants and children, adolescents, and adults.
Like residents, cross-border workers must comply with the vaccination regulations related to their job in Luxembourg. These vaccinations can be administered by doctors or approved vaccination centers, in conjunction with occupational health services.
Recommended vaccinations for children in Luxembourg
| Infants, children, adolescents | |||
| Age | Dose | Vaccine | Protection |
| 2 months | 1 | Combination vaccine (D, T, aP, Hib, IPV, Hep B) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B |
| 1 | Rotavirus | Rotavirus gastroenteritis | |
| 1 | Pneumococci | Invasive pneumococcal infections | |
| 3 months | 2 | Combination vaccine (D, T, aP, Hib, IPV, Hep B) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B |
| 2 | Rotavirus | Rotavirus gastroenteritis | |
| 4 months | 3 | Combination vaccine (D, T, aP, Hib, IPV) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, poliomyelitis |
| 2 | Pneumococcus | Invasive pneumococcal disease | |
| 12 months | 1 | Combination vaccine (MMRV) | Mumps, rubella, measles, chickenpox |
| 3 | Pneumococcus | Invasive pneumococcal infections | |
| 13 months | 4 | Combination vaccine (D, T, aP, Hib, IPV, Hep B) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, hepatitis B |
| 1 | Meningococcus C | Invasive meningococcal C (MenC) infections | |
| 15-23 months | 2 | Combination vaccine (MMRV) | Mumps, rubella, measles, chickenpox |
| Before age 5 (if not already done) | 1 | Pneumococcus | Invasive pneumococcal infections |
| 5-6 years | Booster | Combination vaccine (d, T, aP, IPV) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis |
| 12 years (if not already done) | 1 | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B |
| 11-13 years old (girls) | 1 | HPV | Papillomavirus infections (HPV) |
| 15-16 | Booster | Combination vaccine (d, T, aP, IPV +MenC) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis |
| 15-16 years (girls if not already done) | 1 | HPV | Papillomavirus (HPV) infections |
Other vaccinations may be recommended for children at risk (blood disorders, chronic lung diseases, etc.).
Recommended vaccinations for adults in Luxembourg
| Adults and seniors | ||
| Age | Vaccine | Protection |
| Every 10 years | Combined vaccine (d, T, aP, IPV) | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio |
| Born after 1980 and not having received two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines | MMR vaccine | Measles, mumps, rubella |
| 65 years of age and older | Pneumococcus | Invasive pneumococcal infections |
| 65 years and older | Influenza | Seasonal influenza |
Coverage of vaccination costs
The Luxembourg government covers the cost of vaccinations for infants and children, in accordance with the vaccination schedule. This vaccination coverage also applies to certain at-risk populations.
The CNS reimburses the cost of seasonal flu vaccinations for people who meet the conditions. Contact your doctor directly for more information about who is eligible for coverage of the flu vaccine.
The CNS also reimburses the cost of the bivalent vaccine (Cervarix®) for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 14 inclusive.
Traveling abroad: when should you get vaccinated?
Before traveling abroad, it may be necessary to get specific and additional vaccinations. Vaccines are recommended depending on the countries visited.
Internationally required vaccinations
The SARS-Cov2 vaccination against Covid is required by certain countries. Obtaining a visa in advance depends on this. Proof must be provided in order to obtain the necessary documents for entry into the country, including in the case of connecting flights.
Yellow fever is the only disease for which countries may require proof of vaccination. Vaccination may be required upon entry into the country, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005. Some countries in Africa, Central America, and South America require systematic vaccination. This is the case in Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and Mali. Other countries require it depending on the country of origin.
The purpose of vaccination is to prevent the importation and international spread of the virus. It also protects travelers who may be exposed to infection.
Who should be vaccinated before traveling?
Certain vaccinations are mandatory before entering the country. You should therefore check the requirements carefully before traveling.
As a general rule, all travelers must be vaccinated in accordance with the country's requirements. Vaccination is also mandatory for infants from 9 months of age, or even 6 months in exceptional cases.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, blood donors, or immunocompromised individuals may be exempt.
Special feature of the yellow fever vaccine
If vaccination cannot be carried out, it is strongly recommended that you cancel or postpone —if possible—any travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic.
Please note! Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 6 months of age, and immunocompromised individuals cannot be vaccinated against yellow fever.
Allergy to egg yolks
The manufacture of certain vaccines involves a stage of cultivation in chicken eggs. These vaccines therefore contain tiny amounts of egg protein. This is particularly the case for the yellow fever vaccine. Vaccination against yellow fever is therefore not recommended for people who are severely allergic to eggs. For more information, consult a doctor.
What is the international vaccination certificate?
Once the vaccine has been administered, the doctor will give the patient an International Certificate of Vaccination. This document certifies that the person has been vaccinated.
Since July 11, 2016, this vaccination certificate is valid for life, compared to ten years previously. In other words, a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine cannot be required as a condition of entry into a country. This amendment to Annex 7 of the International Health Regulations applies to all persons, regardless of the date of vaccination.
Where can you get vaccinated in Luxembourg for travel abroad?
The Travel Clinic is the only yellow fever vaccination center in Luxembourg. It provides information, advice, and vaccinations for travelers.
It is located at the Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg, rue Nicolas Ernest Barblé in Luxembourg. Appointments can be made online, directly on the CHL website.
More than 4,000 patients visit the clinic each year to be vaccinated against yellow fever. Other vaccines are also available, such as rabies, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A and B, etc.
Consult a doctor or the Travel Clinic at least six weeks before departure. Vaccination must be carried out at least ten days before travel.
In the event of continued exposure or repeated travel, it is recommended that patients receive a booster shot every ten years.
For other vaccinations, consult your doctor or make an appointment with a general practitioner.
Why get vaccinated in Luxembourg?
Vaccination protects against certain infectious diseases
Despite some reservations about its effectiveness or safety, vaccination is useful for preventing dangerous diseases.
Vaccines also help prevent epidemics. Large-scale vaccination against COVID-19 has significantly slowed the spread of the epidemic and reduced the risk of death.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two to three million lives are saved each year thanks to vaccination. Vaccination has notably led to the eradication of smallpox in its historical form. The last known case was in Somalia in 1977.
Vaccination situation in Europe and Luxembourg
Thanks to vaccination, certain diseases have disappeared, such as polio, which is now extinct in Western Europe. Several other serious diseases, such as diphtheria and tetanus, have virtually disappeared from Europe. They no longer exist in Luxembourg.
In the Grand Duchy, vaccination coverage among children aged 25 to 30 months is assessed every five years. This national survey reveals that more than 95% of resident children have been vaccinated with the 13 recommended vaccines.
Health prevention, European Immunization Week
Vaccination is an individual right, but also a collective responsibility. Every year, European Immunization Week is held to raise awareness among the general public about the importance of vaccines.
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global action plan for vaccines. The WHO has set several goals, such as eliminating rubella and reducing measles mortality.
Vaccinating a larger proportion of the world's population against tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria is also on the agenda.
Articles de la catégorie Santé – Bien-être
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See a doctor
The medical sector is highly developed in Luxembourg. In addition to general practitioners, there are many medical specialists and other health professionals in the country who provide high-quality care to patients.