The Swedish vaccination program
The present national vaccination program
All children are recommended to take part in the general vaccination program, which is free of charge.
Vaccinations against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis are given three times in infancy, with a booster vaccination at 5-6 years of age and a second booster vaccination at 14-16 years of age (children born before 2002 receive a single booster vaccination at 10 years of age). Vaccinations against Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B infection (Hib) and Pneumococcal infection are given three times in infancy, with a booster vaccination against Polio at 5-6 years of age. Vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella are given during the second year of life and a booster vaccination at 6-8 years of age (children born before 2002 receive a booster vaccination at 12 years of age). From January 1st 2010, vaccinations against Humane Papilloma Virus (HPV) will be given three times to all girls (born 1999 or later) at 10-12 years of age.
Children who are at high risk of infection are also offered vaccination against tuberculosis and hepatitis B.
Surveillance
Sweden has a high vaccination coverage against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Polio, Measles, Rubella and Mumps. While the risk for outbreaks of these diseases is small, surveillance of the public immune status is required in order to detect declining adherence to the vaccination programme and prevent new outbreaks of these important infections.
This is achieved by repeated serological cross-sectional studies among representative samples from the Swedish population. Data on vaccination coverage is provided on an annual basis by child health care centres and schools and compiled by SMI.
General Program
| Age |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis |
Polio | Hib | Pneumococcal | Measles, Mumps Rubella |
HPV* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | I | I | I | I | ||
| 5 months | II** | II** | II** | II** | ||
| 12 months | III*** | III*** | III*** | III*** | ||
| 18 months | I | |||||
| 5-6 years | IV (children born 2002 or later) | IV | ||||
| 6-8 years | II (children born 2002 or later) | |||||
| 10 years | IV (children born before 2002)**** | |||||
| 10-12 years | I+II+III | |||||
| 12 years | II (children born before 2002) | |||||
| 14-16 years | V (children born 2002 or later) |
Directed Program
| Age | Tuberculosis | Hepatitis B | Responsible for vaccination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mostly infants | Children exposed to increased risk | Children exposed to increased risk | Depending on risk situation |
Comments to tables
- * Will be introduced January 1st 2010 to girls born 1999 or later. Vaccine against HPV (Humane Papilloma virus) is given in three doses. Dose II must be given 1-2 months after dose I. Dos III must be given 4-5 months after dose II.
- ** At least six weeks between injection I and injection II.
- *** At least six months between injection II and injection III.
- **** In 1996 the fourth injection was recommended only with diphtheria and tetanus vaccine. From the education year 2005/2006 the injection is also recommended to include pertussis vaccine.
BCG-vaccination should be given to children exposed to increased risk of tuberculosis infection, all according to the recommendations of the National Board of Health and Welfare for preventive measures against tuberculosis (Health control, contact tracing and vaccination), published in year 2007, article number: 2007-130-1 (www.socialstyrelsen.se), (in Swedish). Vaccination against hepatitis B, pre or post exposition, should be given to children exposed to increased risk of hepatitis B according to the recommendations of the National Board of Health and Welfare for prophylaxis against hepatitis B; prophylaxis with vaccine and immunoglobulin - before and after exposition, published in year 2005, article number: 2005-130-6 (www.socialstyrelsen.se), (in Swedish).
Uppdaterad 2009-06-09 10:26