Vaccination is optional in Estonia. A parent or a legal representative decides on the vaccination of a child or a person with restricted active legal capacity. A parent or a legal representative must submit a written application if they wish to refuse vaccinations under the immunisation programme.
Each EU country has a separate immunisation programme and an approved vaccination calendar. The Estonian immunisation programme stipulates which diseases children and adults are vaccinated against, at what age and under what conditions (e.g. the flu vaccine is guaranteed to certain vulnerable groups). Vaccinations based on the immunisation programme are free for everyone.
In addition to vaccinations listed in the immunisation programme, other vaccines are available that should be especially considered by people at risk for certain diseases. There are national recommendations available for vaccinations outside the immunisation programme with a list of the most at-risk risk groups.
The necessity for vaccination depends on a person's medical history, prior vaccines received, occupational risks, local disease outbreaks, and travel plans. Individuals should consult their family physician or vaccination office for inquiries and to receive necessary vaccinations. Vaccination is recommended for those with work-related infection risks, engaging in risk behaviour, part of highly communicative groups, having chronic illnesses or immunodeficiency, advanced age, or constant exposure to vulnerable populations such as unvaccinated children, the sick, or the elderly.
Patient rights also apply in the context of vaccination. This means that you can:
- receive information about vaccination
- choose whether to get vaccinated
- choose a vaccination institution
- refuse vaccination
If a person refuses vaccination, a medical practitioner must explain the importance of vaccination to the individual and for public health.
Vaccine insurance
According to Estonian laws, there is vaccine insurance in Estonia, the purpose of which is to ensure compensation for vaccine damage if the patient dies or suffers severe health damage lasting for at least four months due to vaccination that took place in Estonia.
Compensation to eligible individuals for material and non-material damage is provided as a one-time vaccine damage compensation as follows:
- € 2,000 in the case of serious damage to health with mild degree of severity
- € 10,000 in the case of serious damage to health with moderate degree of severity
- € 25,000 in the case of serious damage to health
- € 50,000 in the case of severe damage to health
- € 100,000 in the case of permanent or life-threatening damage to health or death