Vaccinations: Vaccination Schedule, Booster Shots, and Practical Advice
Do you live in Luxembourg or have you just moved here? Vaccinations are an important consideration for you, your children, and your family. Luxembourg has a national vaccination schedule with recommendations for infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and certain at-risk populations.
This page helps you understand the recommended vaccines in Luxembourg, how they’re covered, when to schedule booster shots, special situations, and where to get vaccinated.
Is vaccination mandatory in Luxembourg?
In Luxembourg, vaccination is not mandatory for the entire population. However, health authorities recommend following the national immunization schedule to protect children, adults, and vulnerable individuals against certain infectious diseases.
Vaccination serves both as individual protection and as a public health measure. It helps limit the spread of serious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, and certain invasive infections.
For children, the recommended vaccines are covered under the vaccination schedule. For adults, certain vaccines are also recommended based on age, medical history, occupation, or health status.
Vaccination: Key Points
- In Luxembourg, vaccinations are not mandatory, but they are strongly recommended according to the national vaccination schedule.
- Vaccinations included in the immunization schedule are free of charge for the patient.
- Luxembourg has an electronic vaccination record that makes it easier to track one’s vaccination status.
- More than 95% of resident children aged 25 to 30 months are vaccinated according to national recommendations.
- According to the World Health Organization, vaccination prevents several million deaths worldwide each year.
Are you moving to Luxembourg? Should you check your vaccination record?
When moving to Luxembourg, it’s advisable to check that your vaccinations and those of your children are up to date. Vaccination schedules can vary from one country to another. Some booster shots recommended in Luxembourg may not have been administered in your country of origin.
If you’ve lost your vaccination record, if you can’t remember which vaccines you’ve received, or if you’re arriving with a young child, talk to a general practitioner, a pediatrician, or a school health service.
Luxembourg also has an electronic vaccination record, which allows you to track the vaccines you’ve received and receive vaccination reminders.
To find a healthcare professional, consult our guide on seeing a doctor in Luxembourg.
Vaccinations: What Expats Need to Know
- No vaccinations are mandatory for the general population in Luxembourg.
- However, the Luxembourg vaccination schedule is strongly recommended for children, adolescents, and adults.
- The vaccines listed in the schedule are free for patients; only the cost of the doctor’s visit may be the patient’s responsibility.
- Children who have recently arrived may be required to provide proof of their vaccination status when enrolling in daycare or school.
- Adults should check their booster shots, particularly for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio.
- Certain professions or health conditions may require specific vaccination protection.
The Vaccination Schedule in Luxembourg
The Luxembourg vaccination schedule sets out recommendations for vaccination and passive immunization based on age and health status. It applies to infants, children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and certain at-risk individuals.
Vaccination recommendations are regularly updated by health authorities. Before receiving any vaccination, consult your doctor or review the current official recommendations.
Vaccination of Infants and Young Children
For infants and young children, vaccines are designed to protect against diseases that can be serious even in the first few months of life.
Recommended vaccinations include, in particular:
- diphtheria;
- tetanus;
- pertussis;
- polio;
- Haemophilus influenzae type b infections;
- hepatitis B;
- pneumococcal infections;
- rotavirus;
- measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox;
- invasive meningococcal infections, in accordance with current recommendations.
Vaccines are generally administered during pediatric or general medical visits. The immunization record helps track which shots have been received and which boosters are due.
Vaccinations for Adolescents
During adolescence, booster shots are recommended to maintain protection against certain diseases. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is also recommended to prevent certain cancers.
The HPV vaccination program applies to both girls and boys according to current age groups and guidelines. Catch-up vaccinations may be offered in certain cases.
Recommended Vaccines for Adults
Adults should also regularly check their vaccination status. Some vaccines require booster shots in adulthood, even if the vaccination series was completed correctly during childhood.
Booster shots against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio
Booster shots against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio are recommended for adults according to the vaccination schedule. These boosters help maintain effective protection throughout life.
Vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella
Adults born after 1980 who have not received two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine may need to update their vaccination status. Measles remains a highly contagious disease and can lead to complications.
Seasonal Flu Vaccination
Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended annually for at-risk individuals, including seniors, people with chronic illnesses, immunocompromised individuals, and certain pregnant women, as advised by a healthcare provider.
The flu vaccine is available free of charge at pharmacies with a prescription for eligible individuals and is then administered by a doctor.
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Pneumococcal vaccination may be recommended for older adults and certain high-risk individuals. It is intended to protect against infections that can be serious, particularly in frail individuals.
COVID-19 Vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination may still be recommended for at-risk individuals, particularly the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, or those with chronic conditions. Recommendations may change depending on the season and the public health situation.
For testing or advice related to respiratory infections, pharmacies can serve as a first point of contact. Visit our page on pharmacies and on-call pharmacies in Luxembourg.
Vaccination During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, certain vaccines may be recommended to protect both the mother and her unborn baby. Recommendations depend on the season, the mother’s health status, her vaccination history, and the stage of pregnancy.
Vaccination against seasonal flu may be recommended during pregnancy. Vaccination against whooping cough may also be offered to protect the infant during its first months of life. Vaccination against RSV may also be offered to certain pregnant women between the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy, according to current recommendations.
Always consult your obstetrician, midwife, or doctor before receiving any vaccinations during pregnancy.
See also our page on Pregnancy and Prenatal Care in Luxembourg.
Vaccination and High-Risk Occupations
Certain professions may require specific vaccination protection. This is particularly the case for professions in healthcare, nursing, education, early childhood care, or those exposed to certain biological risks.
Cross-border workers, like residents, may be subject to recommendations or requirements related to their workplace in Luxembourg. Occupational health services can provide guidance based on your professional activity.
For information specific to cross-border workers, visit our page on health for cross-border workers in Luxembourg.
Where can you get vaccinated in Luxembourg?
In Luxembourg, most vaccinations can be administered by a general practitioner, a pediatrician, or a qualified medical service.
At a doctor’s or pediatrician’s office
A general practitioner or pediatrician can review your vaccination record, advise you on any needed booster shots, and administer the recommended vaccines.
At a pharmacy, depending on the program
Certain vaccines, such as the seasonal flu vaccine or the pneumococcal vaccine for adults, must be picked up free of charge at a pharmacy with a prescription before being administered by a doctor.
Some pharmacies may also participate in specific vaccination programs, particularly for COVID-19, depending on current guidelines.
Through occupational health services
For certain professions, vaccination may be organized or recommended as part of occupational health services. This applies in particular to employees exposed to specific risks.
Specific Vaccinations and International Travel
If you are planning to travel to certain regions of the world, particularly Africa, South America, or Asia, additional vaccinations may be recommended or required depending on your destination.
Depending on the countries you visit, these may include vaccines against yellow fever, hepatitis A, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, or meningitis. Health requirements change regularly. It is therefore advisable to check the recommendations several weeks before your departure.
Where can you get vaccinated in Luxembourg before a trip?
For routine vaccinations, your primary care physician or pediatrician can advise you and administer the necessary shots.
For more specific vaccinations related to international travel—particularly against yellow fever—the Travel Clinic at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg is the go-to facility in Luxembourg. This center provides information to travelers, assesses health risks based on the destination, and administers the necessary vaccinations.
It is recommended that you make an appointment at least six weeks before departure to allow enough time for the vaccinations to be administered and for effective protection to develop. For certain destinations, an international vaccination certificate may be required upon entry into the country.
To learn more about healthcare facilities, visit our page on hospitals, maternity wards, and clinics in Luxembourg.
Vaccination Coverage in Luxembourg
Vaccinations included in the national immunization schedule are free of charge to the patient. In practice, the vaccine itself is covered, while the cost of the medical consultation may still be the patient’s responsibility, subject to standard reimbursement conditions.
For certain vaccines, such as the seasonal flu vaccine or the pneumococcal vaccine for adults, the patient must first pick up the vaccine for free at a pharmacy with a prescription, then visit their doctor to have it administered.
To understand the reimbursement process, consult our guide on healthcare reimbursement.
Vaccination: Important
Vaccination recommendations may change. Before getting vaccinated—especially if you are pregnant, have a chronic illness, have allergies, are on immunosuppressive medication, or are planning international travel—always consult a healthcare professional.
Why Get Vaccinated?
Vaccination helps prevent certain potentially serious infectious diseases. It protects the vaccinated person, but also helps protect more vulnerable individuals who cannot always be vaccinated or who respond less effectively to vaccines.
Thanks to vaccination, certain diseases have declined sharply or been eradicated in many countries. Polio, diphtheria, and tetanus have become rare in Western Europe, but could reemerge if vaccination coverage declines.
Vaccination therefore remains a key preventive tool, particularly in a cosmopolitan country like Luxembourg, where many people move between different countries to live, work, study, or travel.
Checklist: Check Your Vaccination Status
- Find your vaccination record or that of your children.
- Check the recommended booster shots in Luxembourg.
- Consult a doctor or pediatrician if you have any questions.
- Seek advice if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have a chronic illness.
- Check the recommendations before traveling internationally.
- Keep proof of vaccination and relevant certificates.
- Find out about the electronic vaccination record.
- Check coverage requirements before purchasing a vaccine.
Vaccination: Common Misconceptions
- Assuming that childhood vaccines provide lifelong protection into adulthood without a booster shot.
- Forgetting to check children’s vaccination records after living abroad.
- Waiting until the last minute before an international trip.
- Failing to disclose a pregnancy, allergy, or major medical treatment before getting vaccinated.
- Confusing covered vaccines with reimbursed medical consultations.
- Failing to keep vaccination records needed for school, work, or travel.
In summary
Vaccination in Luxembourg follows a recommended immunization schedule, which is updated by health authorities. It applies to infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, seniors, and certain at-risk populations.
For expats and newcomers, it’s a good idea to check your vaccination record as soon as you settle in, seek advice from a doctor, and plan ahead for booster shots, children’s vaccinations, and specific needs related to work or travel.
FAQs on Vaccination in Luxembourg
Are vaccinations mandatory in Luxembourg?
No, vaccinations are not mandatory for the general population. However, they are strongly recommended according to the national vaccination schedule.
Are children’s vaccinations free?
Vaccinations included in the national immunization schedule are free for the patient. Practical arrangements may vary depending on the vaccine and the healthcare provider consulted.
Where can a child get vaccinated in Luxembourg?
Children can be vaccinated by a pediatrician, a general practitioner, or through school health programs, depending on their age and circumstances.
What should I do if I’ve lost my vaccination record?
Consult a doctor. They can assess your situation, look up the available information, and recommend catch-up vaccinations if necessary.
Do adults need booster shots?
Yes, certain booster shots are recommended for adults, particularly against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio.
Is the flu vaccine covered by insurance?
The seasonal flu vaccine may be covered for eligible individuals. It is available at pharmacies by prescription, subject to current regulations.
Can you get vaccinated during pregnancy?
Certain vaccines may be recommended during pregnancy. Consult your OB-GYN, midwife, or doctor before getting any vaccinations.
Where can you get vaccinated before an international trip?
For routine vaccines, consult your doctor. For more specific vaccines, such as the yellow fever vaccine, the CHL Travel Clinic is the go-to facility in Luxembourg.
For Your Health in Luxembourg
Articles in the category Health – Wellness
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Wellness Centers in Luxembourg
A guide to swimming pools, spas, saunas, and aquatic centers in Luxembourg—perfect for swimming, relaxing, or enjoying a family outing.
Healthcare System: Health Insurance, CNS, Doctors, Reimbursements, and Procedures
A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Luxembourg Healthcare System: CNS procedures, doctor's appointments, reimbursement, emergencies, and practical advice for newcomers.
Help, Support, and Inclusion in Luxembourg: Services to Support You
A guide to support and assistance services in Luxembourg for families, young people, and individuals facing difficulties or with disabilities.