In the context of the European Immunisation Week, the Ministry of Health is reminding people that they should still remember to get their regular vaccinations, even in times of coronavirus.

According to a recently released statement by the Ministry of Health, parents are avoiding trips to the paediatrician out of fear of Covid-19, thereby postponing vaccinations for their children. However, the ministry states that this is not recommended as toddlers and babies should receive their vaccinations within a specific period of time.
Minister of Health Paulette Lenert stressed that especially in times of Covid-19, our health care system could not support any outbreak of diseases that can be prevented by vaccinating children. She also applauded the effort of health care professionals who are providing medical attention and vaccination services to anyone who needs them.

Vaccination in times of Covid-19

Dr Françoise Berthet, Deputy Director of the healthcare sector and Secretary of the Superior Council of Infectious Diseases, explains: “If vaccination coverage is not continually assured, it may lead to an increase of diseases which are currently well under control in Luxembourg. This may include the measles, whooping cough, or certain forms of meningitis”. In fact, the measles already caused a local epidemic in Luxembourg in 2019. 21 people aged 8 to 48 were affected with 3 ending up in hospital. The majority of those people were either incompletely or not at all vaccinated against the measles. In the context of the current pandemic, vaccinations are of utmost importance to prevent additional infectious risks besides Covid-19.

Vaccination of babies and toddlers

The statement continues to say that most of the vaccinations administered to babies and toddlers offered an early and lasting protection. Acquiring an early protection is essential, especially in the case of whooping cough as it could be deadly for babies. The same applies for bacterial diseases such as meningitis. Numerous vaccinations administrated to babies and toddlers, e.g. those against hepatitis B and the measles, offer life-long protection. According to the Ministry, there is therefore no reason to postpone the recommended due dates for vaccinations.

Vaccination of children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly

The statement goes on to say that some vaccinations must be renewed after certain periods of time. These time periods are stated to be at ages 5 and 6 for children and every 10 years for adolescents and adults. This applied to vaccination against polio, diphteria, tetanus, and whooping cough. Respecting due dates is important in order to maintain immunity, even though not as crucial as it is with babies. As for human papillomavirus infection (HPV), it is stated that vaccination is recommended for girls and boys ages 9 to 13. The due dates of those specific vaccinations are not crucial and postponing the vaccination appointment until after the Covid-19 crisis could be justified.

However, the Ministry stresses that protection of the elderly and people considered vulnerable against Covid-19 was still recommended, even during the pandemic, as these groups should not contract any other infections such as pneumonia or pneumococcus.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry recommends respecting vaccination due dates for babies and toddlers as well as the elderly and people considered vulnerable. Between the ages of 2 and 65, routine vaccination appointments could be postponed until after the end of the confinement, unless otherwise advised by a doctor.