Three key takeaways:
1. The vaccinations recommended in the national schedule are free of charge in Luxembourg.
2. The schedule begins at birth and includes several doses to build maintain age-appropriate protection.
3. If you are travelling, it is advisable to check the vaccination record at least six weeks before departure.
Vaccinations protect babies and children against many potentially serious infectious diseases. In Luxembourg, vaccines recommended under the national vaccination programme are free of charge. Vaccination schedules, doctor’s appointments, preparing for travel and the role of health insurance: here are the essential points to help protect your child as they grow.
Why vaccinate your child?
During the first months of life, a child’s immune system is still developing. Children are more vulnerable to certain infections, such as whooping cough, measles, polio and certain forms of meningitis, which can lead to serious complications and may even be fatal.
Possible complications of some vaccine-preventable diseases
| Disease | Possible risks and complications |
| Whooping cough | Severe, exhausting coughing fits, breathing difficulties and pneumonia. In babies, it can lead to serious complications requiring hospital treatment. |
| Measles | High fever and a rash, with a risk of pneumonia or encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. |
| Polio | Damage to the nervous system that can cause paralysis, which may be permanent. |
| Meningococcal meningitis or meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b | Infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can progress rapidly and cause lasting neurological damage or become life-threatening. |
| Pneumococcal disease | Ear infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections or meningitis, especially in younger children. |
| Hepatitis B | A liver infection that can become chronic and lead to long-term liver complications. |
| Rotavirus | Acute gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea, which can cause significant dehydration in babies. |
source: Diseases that Vaccines Help Protect Against | Childhood Vaccines | CDC
Vaccination helps your child’s body develop its immune defences without having to catch these diseases.
In Luxembourg, vaccinations are not compulsory, but they are strongly recommended by the health authorities. They protect individual children while also helping to limit the spread of contagious diseases within the family, nursery, school and wider community.
Vaccination schedule: key appointments from birth to 23 months
In Luxembourg, the vaccination schedule begins at birth and continues throughout the child’s first two years. It includes several vaccinations and immunisations at specific ages, gradually building lasting protection against different infectious diseases. To reduce the number of injections, some vaccines are combined and protect the child against several diseases at a single appointment.
| Child’s age | Recommended vaccinations or immunisations |
| Birth | Preventive protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may be offered. |
| 2 months | First dose of the combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b, polio and hepatitis B. First dose against rotavirus and pneumococcal disease. |
| 3 months | Second dose against rotavirus. First dose of the meningococcal B vaccine. Second dose against pneumococcal disease. |
| 4 months | Second dose of the combined vaccine. Additional doses against pneumococcal disease and, depending on the vaccine used, rotavirus. |
| 5 months | Second dose against meningococcal B. |
| 11 months | Third dose of the combined vaccine and pneumococcal booster. |
| 12 months | First MMRV dose against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Third dose against meningococcal B. |
| 13 months | Vaccination against meningococcal ACWY. |
| Between 15 and 23 months | Second MMRV dose against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. |
source: Babies and toddlers – Health portal
The vaccination schedule can be adapted to each child’s circumstances. If a child is born prematurely, has a chronic illness or is behind with their vaccinations, the doctor or paediatrician can offer personalised follow-up. Specific recommendations may be needed for children with certain lung, heart, metabolic, blood or immune system conditions.
Good to know: Booster doses are scheduled throughout childhood.
Boosters help maintain protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. They are recommended between the ages of 5 and 6, then between 15 and 16. In adulthood, further boosters are then scheduled every 10 years (source: Children and adolescents – Health portal).
Between the ages of 9 and 14, vaccination against human papillomavirus is also recommended for both girls and boys. It is free of charge for young people aged 9 to 16 (source: Human papillomavirus infections – Health portal).
Organising your child’s vaccinations day to day
In Luxembourg, children can be vaccinated by a paediatrician, a GP or, depending on the circumstances, in hospital. For vaccines included in the national programme, you simply need to make an appointment with a healthcare professional. The vaccines are ordered directly by the Health Directorate and are available at the medical practice. You generally do not need a prescription or have to buy the vaccine from a pharmacy (source: Coverage of vaccines in Luxembourg – Health portal).
Good to know: Vaccines bought from a pharmacy may not be reimbursed.
It is best not to buy a national-schedule vaccine from a pharmacy on prescription, as its cost will not be reimbursed in that case.
Before the appointment, remember to tell the doctor about your child’s medical history, any treatment they are receiving, known allergies or any unusual reactions following a previous vaccination. After vaccination, pain or redness at the injection site, a mild fever, tiredness or temporary irritability may occur. These reactions are generally temporary. If a symptom is unusual, severe or persistent, seek advice from a doctor or paediatrician (source: Side effects – Health portal)
It is advisable to keep your child’s vaccination record safe. This document allows you to keep track of doses already given, see when the next doses are due and pass on useful information if you change doctor, your child starts nursery or you travel abroad.
Good to know: Missed or delayed vaccinations can be caught up.
Missing an appointment or receiving a dose late does not necessarily mean the vaccination schedule has to start again. The doctor can draw up a catch-up schedule suited to the child’s age and the doses already received.
Travelling with a child: plan vaccinations and formalities ahead
Before travelling abroad, check that your child’s vaccination record is up to date. This is particularly important when travelling to a distant country or an area where certain infectious diseases are more common.
Depending on the destination, the child’s age, the length of stay, the type of accommodation and the planned activities, additional vaccines may be recommended or required by the authorities in the country you are visiting. Unlike vaccinations included in the national schedule, travel-related vaccinations must be paid for by the family.
Luxembourg health authorities recommend seeking advice at least six weeks before departure. This allows time to check routine vaccinations, arrange any necessary catch-up doses and, where appropriate, have destination-specific vaccinations.
The Travel Clinic at Luxembourg Hospital Centre can provide advice tailored to international travel. Before leaving, make sure you have the vaccination record, prescriptions, regular medication and information about your health cover.
Health insurance: supporting your child’s care with Foyer
As they grow, children may need different types of care: medical appointments, health checks, dental care, glasses or other optical aids, or hospital treatment in the event of illness or an accident. While vaccinations included in the national schedule are free of charge in Luxembourg, supplementary health cover can help families plan for other healthcare costs more effectively.
Foyer’s medicis supplementary health insurance provides cover in addition to CNS reimbursements, within the limits of the plan selected. It can help reduce out-of-pocket costs for consultations, outpatient care, medical examinations and hospital treatment.
Before travelling abroad, remember to check which cover applies outside Luxembourg. Depending on your chosen plan, medicis may cover certain hospital costs and a medically necessary transfer during a temporary stay.
By following the vaccination schedule and keeping the vaccination record up to date, you help protect your child against several infectious diseases from the first months of life. If you have any questions, if a dose is delayed or if you are preparing for travel, the paediatrician or GP remains your first point of contact for advice tailored to your child’s circumstances.
Frequently asked questions about child vaccinations
Are vaccines compulsory in Luxembourg?
No. Vaccinations are not compulsory in Luxembourg, but they are strongly recommended by the health authorities to protect children against potentially serious diseases.
Are children’s vaccines free of charge?
Vaccinations included in the national vaccination schedule are free of charge for children. However, check with your healthcare professional whether any consultation fees apply.
What should I do if a dose has been missed?
Make an appointment with the paediatrician or GP. They can review the vaccination record and suggest a personalised catch-up schedule. An incomplete course of vaccination can be completed without having to start the entire vaccination course again.
Are vaccines needed before travelling with a child?
Yes, especially before travelling to a distant destination or a region where there is a particular risk of infection. It is advisable to check the vaccination record and consult a doctor or the Travel Clinic at least six weeks before departure.
