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.

The vaccines are given according to the schedule below

Age

3 months

5 months

12 months

18 months

5-6 years

6-8 years

10 years

10-12 years

12 years

14-16 years

Vaccine against

General section – Recommended for all children

Diphteria, Tetanus, Pertussis

I

II

III

IV (children born 2002 or later)

IV (children born before 2002)

V (children born 2002 or later)

Polio

I

II

III

IV

Hib (Haemophilius influenzae type B)

I

II

III

Pneumococcal disease

I

II

III

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

I

II (children born 2002 or later)

II (children born before 2002)

HPV ( Human Papilloma Virus)

I+II+III

Directed section – Recommended for children exposed to increased risk

Tuberculosis

The vaccine is usually given as a single dose from 6 months of age, but should be given earlier in case of high risk of infection.

Hepatitis B

The vaccination is usually given on three occasions, either together with other vaccines during the infant’s first year or according to a separate schedule.

Download Swedish Vaccination table

Comments on the table

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine was introduced January 1st 2010 to girls born 1999 or later. Vaccine against HPV is given in three doses. Dose II must be given 1-2 months after dose I. Dose III must be given 4-5 months after dose II.

For vaccines against diphteria, tetanus, polio, Hib and pneumococcal disease at least six weeks are required between injection I and injection II and 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 school year 2005/2006 the injection is also recommended to include pertussis vaccine.

Vaccination against tuberculosis should be given to children exposed to increased risk of tuberculosis infection, 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 2007, article number: 2007-130-1 (http://www.socialstyrelsen.se/publikationer2007/2007-130-1), (in Swedish).

Vaccination against hepatitis B, pre or post exposition, should be given to children exposed to an 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 (http://www.socialstyrelsen.se/publikationer2005/2005-130-6), (in Swedish).

Uppdaterad 2010-10-29 15:57

Contact
Eva Netterlid