Vaccination

Conditions of coverage

In accordance with provisions of the agreement concluded between the State of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the “Caisse nationale de santé” (National Health Fund) launching an anti-influenza vaccination programme for certain risk groups, specific vaccines against seasonal influenza (but NOT influenza A/H1N1) are covered when:

• the insured person has reached the age of 65 during the current year

or

• the medical prescription justifies that the medication is administered:
  • to a pregnant woman
    
  • or in one of the following situations:
    • chronic lung diseases
    • chronic heart diseases
    • chronic kidney diseases
    • chronic diseases of the metabolism
    • congenital immunodepression or immunodepression acquired through sickness or as a result of medicational treatment
    • autoimmune disorders
    • haemoglobinopathies
    • neurological disorders or neuromuscular diseases with a heightened risk of aspiration pneumopathy
    • illnesses justifying chronic treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for someone under 18 years of age

Coverage rates

Under certain conditions, the vaccine against season influenza is fully covered.

Target population

The aim of the pneumococcal vaccination programme is to prevent invasive pneumococcal infection by specific vaccination of the target population and thus minimise the risk of complications, which are a source of morbidity and premature mortality.

The persons targeted by the treatment defined in the agreement on the basis of the recommendations of the Higher Council for Infectious Diseases (Conseil supérieur des maladies infectieuses/CSMI) are:

Adults in good health:

• Adults 65 and over (up to and including age 85)

Patients at specific risk:

• Immunocompetent people with an increased risk of developing pneumococcal infection (co-morbid population), namely:
  • People with chronic lung disease;
  • Smokers;
  • People with chronic heart disease;
  • People with alcoholism with or without cirrhosis;
  • People with chronic kidney disease;
  • People with a meningeal defect or cochlear implant.

• Immunocompromised persons:     
  • Congenital absence of spleen or splenectomy or functional asplenia;
  • Sickle cell disease or other haemoglobulinopathies;
  • Congenital immunodeficiency;
  • Neoplasia;
  • Organ transplantation;
  • HIV infection;
  • Immunosuppressive therapy.

Mode of vaccination

Vaccination in adults requires a double injection at 8-week intervals of a conjugate vaccine (Prevenar-13) and a polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax-23).

According to current scientific knowledge, a booster of the Pneumovax-23 polysaccharide vaccine is recommended every 5 years. A booster of the Prevenar-13 conjugate vaccine is not necessary.

Coverage rate

Vaccination is covered in full for persons recommended for use by the CSMI and defined in the agreement.

The vaccines will be dispensed by pharmacies open to the public on the basis of a medical prescription.

Vaccination programme

Information about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programme can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health under "More information" below.