News from Poland: Implementation of universal infant vaccination with Hib conjugate vaccine in Poland

1 V&I News – ECDC Newsletter on Vaccines and Immunization number 21 – 25 April 2007

On 27 March 2007 the Polish Chief Medical Officer (Chief Sanitary Inspector) approved the new Childhood Immunisation Schedule for 2007. The schedule includes vaccines that are provided for free to the entire population, and those who are recommended for use, but not paid from the budget. The schedule can be accessed here. The major change in the newly introduced schedule is the extension of vaccination with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine from high risk groups to all infants. Since 2004, Hib vaccine was provided for free only to infants from orphanages, and since 2005, to infants from families with more than three children.

The current schedule consists of three primary doses administered at the age of 6-8 weeks (together with DTP and Hepatitis B), 3-4 months and 5-6 months (together with DTP and IPV), respecting 6-8 week intervals, and a supplementary dose administered at the age of 16-18 months. Poland was one of the last EU countries that introduced universal Hib vaccination.

Considering that infants will receive now 12 injections during five visits, the need for the introduction of combined vaccines is increasingly recognised. The decision on changes in the Childhood Immunisation Schedule is made by the Chief Sanitary Inspector by 30 March each year, based on available budget and advice from his advisory bodies – the State Sanitary Council and the newly assembled Pediatric Advisory Group on Childhood Immunisation Schedule.

Reported by: Pawel Stefanoff
National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw