Vaccine calendar – which are the mandatory immunizations and reimmunizations – Bulgaria

Due to the increased cases of whooping cough and measles in recent weeks, the topic of vaccination is increasingly relevant. Especially in children and babies. According to the Immunization Calendar of Bulgaria, mandatory prophylactic immunizations and reimmunizations are carried out at a certain age, the Ministry of Health states.

Immunizations

► All newborns are immunized with hepatitis B vaccine in the first 24 hours after birth and with tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) from the 48th hour after birth until they are discharged from the maternity hospital

► from the second, third and fourth month, children are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type B infections and pneumococcal infectionsas well as vs Hepatitis B, if the hepatitis B vaccine is part of a multicomponent vaccine

► if the hepatitis B vaccine is not part of multicomponent vaccinea second dose is administered from the first month and a third dose from the sixth month

► the vaccine against pneumococcal infections in the third month does not apply to children born after December 31, 2019.

► between 7 and 10 months of age of children without a scar from BCG immunization in the maternity hospital BCG vaccine is administered after a negative tuberculin test

► from the thirteenth month, children are immunized with a combined vaccine against measles, rubella and mumps

Reimmunizations

► from the twelfth month – reimmunization against pneumococcal infectionsbut no earlier than 6 months after: application of the third intake for children born before 01.01.2020 and the second intake for children born after 12.31.2019.

► from the sixteenth month – reimmunization against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B infections, but not earlier than 12 months after the third administration

► at 6 years of age – reimmunization against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio

► at 7 years of age – reimmunization against tuberculosis of persons with a negative tuberculin test

► at 12 years of age – reimmunization against measles, rubella and mumps and against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

► at 17 years of age – reimmunization against tetanus and diphtheria

► upon reaching the age of 25, as well as every 10 years thereafter – reimmunization against tetanus and diphtheria

For all health-insured persons with a selected personal physician, the mandatory immunizations and re-immunizations are performed by the personal physician after an examination on the day of vaccination and are free of charge for the patient.

For health-insured persons who have not exercised their right to choose a personal physician, the mandatory immunizations and re-immunizations can be carried out free of charge in the immunization office of each Regional Health Inspection in the territory of the regional cities, the Ministry of Health states.

Recommended immunizations

In addition to the mandatory ones, there are also the so-called recommended immunizations. They are performed at the patient’s request for a fee. They apply to traveling in regions where there is an increased risk of contracting certain vaccine-preventable infections; in regions endemic for the given diseases; of persons of non-immunization age with accompanying diseases and increased risk of infection, etc.

This includes vaccines against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (acellular component) and with reduced antigenic content of the diphtheria component, vs measles, mumps, rubella, against varicella, against meningococcal, pneumococcal, rotavirus, haemophilus type B infections, infections with human papilloma virus etc., added by the Ministry of Health.

The vaccines against COVID-19 and their administration are free to the public, regardless of the individuals’ health insurance status.

Every moment is important! Follow us at Google News Showcase and Instagramto keep up with the topics of the day