The Swedish Vaccination Program
The Swedish Vaccination Program
The Swedish Vaccination Program
All children in Sweden are entitled to vaccination against nine serious diseases through the child and school
health services.
Some children are also offered vaccination against hepatitis B, tuberculosis, influenza and pneumococcus infection
(see separate leaflet).
14–16 8–9 diphtheria, tetanus and whooping dose 5 12 6 measles, mumps dose 2
years cough years and rubella
cause very serious and sometimes fatal diseases like 39°C or above, severe swelling/flush, nettle-rash, allergic
blood poisoning and meningitis. There is a risk of com- reactions.
plications, such as impaired hearing or various forms
of brain damage. The vaccine offers protection against Vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella
seven of the pneumococcal types most common among common (seen in at least 1 out of 100 vaccinated): red-
small children, which is equivalent to a protection of ness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site. A reac-
about 70 percent. tion that is similar to a weakened copy of the diseases.
The children are not contagious and the symptoms usually
Measles is a highly contagious and often difficult viral disappear within a few days. After the second dose of the
disease with high fever, cough and rash. Measles can vaccine this reaction is less common.
lead to complications such as meningitis, ear infections
Unusual or rare: temporary mild joint pain, fever,
or bronchitis. There is no treatment for the illness and
febrile convulsions, allergic reactions.
deaths occur among unvaccinated children.
MumpS is a contagious viral disease affecting the salivary To bear in mind before a trip abroad
glands and central nervous system. One common compli- Before a trip abroad some of the vaccinations can be given
cation is meningitis, which can cause permanent hearing earlier and other vaccines may be advisable. Consult your
damage or deafness. Boys who become ill after puberty child health centre or a vaccination consultancy.
may be affected by testicular inflammation, which in rare
occasions can lead to sterility. Do you want to know more?
Contact your child health centre or school heath service
Rubella is normally a good-natured viral disease in if your child has started school.
children and adults, but if a pregnant woman becomes
ill, there is danger of serious damage to the brain, heart,
sight and hearing of the fetus. IMPORTANT!
Which vaccines are included in the program? Before the vaccination – Tell us if your child is allergic
• Against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and or has reacted abnormally to previous vaccinations.
Hib infection various combination vaccines are given.
After the vaccination – Contact the child health
• A vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella is
centre or the school health service if you notice
given as a combination vaccine. anything unusual about your child within the
• Against pneumococcos infection, a single vaccine is immediate period.
given.
Combination vaccines function just as well as single vac-
cines, and there is no evidence that it would be beneficial
to split the vaccinations. Contact your child health cen-
tre or school health service for information about which
vaccines are used there.