Getting vaccinated in Luxembourg

Vaccination does not always have a good reputation among the population. Undesirable effects, dangerousness, harmful presence of aluminum … The subject fuels the debate. We saw this during the Covid-19 crisis with the pro-vaccine and anti-vax groups.

What does the Luxembourg regulation on vaccination say? Is it mandatory? What are the recommended vaccines? What are the obligations before a trip abroad?

The positive effects of vaccination on disease prevention are undeniable. Vaccines help protect people from dangerous diseases.

We tell you everything about vaccination in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Free vaccination against Covid-19

During the coronavirus pandemic, Luxembourg vaccinated its population very quickly against Covid-19.

Vaccination is highly recommended for adults and children over 12 years of age (RNA-messenger vaccine).

Vaccination is carried out on the basis of a letter inviting to be vaccinated. However, it is possible to get vaccinated without waiting for the mail.

The wearing of a mask is mandatory for the vaccination. You will also need to bring your CNS card and identification.

The health pass is no longer required in Luxembourg.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with prior appointment

You can get vaccinated with an appointment at the following locations:

• Victor Hugo Hall in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg
• Medical offices
• Pharmacies.

A prior appointment must be made on guichet.lu.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination without appointment

Vaccination can be done without an appointment:

• Hall Victor Hugo in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg
• Impfbus on Tour which circulates throughout Luxembourg.

Vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years is voluntary.

Do you have the symptoms of Covid? Visit this page to learn more about Covid tests.

Vaccination and regulations in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, vaccines are not mandatory. However, public health authorities recommend following the national immunization schedule.

Indeed, if vaccination is an individual right, it is also a collective responsibility. Authorities recommend that children be vaccinated. Adults are also encouraged to take various vaccinations.

This is the case for vaccines against polio, tetanus, whooping cough and diphtheria.

The general practitioner performs all vaccinations. Contact the medical office for a prior appointment.

The Luxembourg government pays for the vaccination of infants and children for the vaccines listed in the vaccination calendar.

Vaccination recommendations in Luxembourg

Although there are no regulations in this area, vaccination of children is strongly recommended. By vaccinating their children, parents protect them from dangerous and even deadly diseases.

Adults are also advised to get vaccinated against certain diseases.

You can check online if you are up to date with the recommended vaccinations.

Vaccination schedule

At the time of the first vaccination, a vaccination booklet is given to the patient.

He or she can keep track of the injections received from an early age and check for vaccine protection. It will contain the name of the vaccine, the date of the injection, the lot number and usually the next vaccine recall date.

The Luxembourg health authorities have set up a vaccination calendar. It gives vaccination recommendations for infants and children, adolescents, but also adults.

Recommended vaccines for children in Luxembourg

Recommended vaccines for adults in Luxembourg

Other vaccinations may be recommended for children at risk (blood diseases, chronic lung diseases…).

Coverage of vaccination costs

The Luxembourg government pays for the vaccination of infants and children in accordance with the vaccination calendar. This vaccine management also concerns certain at-risk populations.

The NHA reimburses for seasonal flu vaccinations for those who qualify. Contact your primary care physician directly to learn more about who is covered by the flu vaccine.

The CNS also reimburses the cost of the bivalent vaccine (Cervarix®) for girls and boys aged between 9 and 14 inclusive.

Travelling, when to get vaccinated?

Before traveling abroad, specific and additional vaccinations may be required. Vaccinations are recommended depending on the country visited.

Vaccines required for international travel

SARS-Cov2 vaccination against Covid is required by some countries. Obtaining a prior visa depends on it. Proof must be provided to obtain the necessary papers for entry into the country, including correspondence.

Yellow fever is the only disease for which countries may require proof of vaccination. Vaccination may be required upon entry of travelers to the country, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

Some countries in Africa, Central and South America require routine 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 at risk of infection.

Who should be vaccinated before traveling?

Some vaccinations are mandatory before entering the country. You must therefore check the conditions before the trip.

As a general rule, all travelers should be vaccinated according to the country’s requirements. Vaccination is also mandatory for infants from the age of 9 months, or exceptionally 6 months.

Pregnant or breast-feeding women, blood donors or immunocompromised people may be exempt.

Particularity of the yellow fever vaccine amaril

If vaccination is not possible, it is strongly recommended to cancel or postpone – if possible – travel to amaril endemic areas (yellow fever).

Careful! Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 6 months of age or immunocompromised persons cannot be vaccinated against yellow fever

Allergy to egg yolks

Some vaccines, such as the yellow fever vaccine, aremanufactured using chicken eggs. These vaccines contain minute amounts of egg protein. Yellow fever vaccination is therefore not recommended for people with severe egg allergies. For more information, consult a physician.

What is the International Certificate of Vaccination?

Once the vaccine has been given, the doctor will provide the patient with an international certificate of vaccination. This document certifies that the person has been vaccinated.

As of July 11, 2016, this certificate is valid for life as opposed to ten years previously. In other words, a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine cannot be required as a condition of entry. This amendment to Schedule 7 of the International Health Regulations applies to all persons, regardless of the date of vaccination.

Where to get vaccinated in Luxembourg?

The Travel Clinic is the only yellow fever vaccination center in Luxembourg. It informs, advises and vaccinates travelers.

It is located at the Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg, rue Nicolas Ernest Barblé in Luxembourg. It is possible to make an appointment online, directly on the CHL website.

More than 4,000 patients go there each year to be vaccinated against yellow fever. Other vaccines are also offered such as rabies, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A and B…

It is advisable to check with a doctor or the Travel Clinic at least six weeks before departure. Vaccination must be done at least ten days before the trip.

In case of continuous exposure or repeated travel, it is recommended that the patient receive a booster dose every 10 years.

For other vaccinations, consult your doctor or make an appointment with a general practitioner.

Why get vaccinated?

Vaccination protects against certain infectious diseases

In the face of some misgivings about its effectiveness or safety, vaccination is useful for the prevention of dangerous diseases .

Vaccines also help prevent epidemics. Large-scale vaccination against Covid-19 has greatly slowed the spread of the epidemic and reduced the lethal risk.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two to three million lives are saved each year through vaccination. In particular, vaccination has made it possible to eradicate smallpox in its historical version. The last known case was in 1977 in Somalia.

Situation in Europe and Luxembourg

Polio has disappeared from Western Europe. Several other serious diseases – such as diphtheria and tetanus – have almost disappeared from Europe.

According to data from the Luxembourg government, diphtheria and poliomyelitis no longer exist in the country.

In the Grand Duchy, the vaccination coverage of children aged 25 to 30 months is evaluated every five years. This national survey shows that over 95% of resident children have been vaccinated for the 13 recommended vaccines.

Health prevention, European Vaccination Week

Vaccination is an individual right, but also a collective responsibility.

Every year, the “European Immunization Week” is held. It raises awareness about the importance of vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global vaccine action plan in 2011.

The WHO has set several objectives such as the elimination of rubella or the reduction of measles mortality.

Vaccination of a larger proportion of the world’s population against tetanus, whooping cough or diphtheria are also on the agenda.

Medical consultations