Under Estonia's national immunisation programme, children are vaccinated from infancy against 11 infectious diseases that can have serious consequences if they are contracted or spread. These diseases are tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, haemophilus haemophilus, measles, mumps and rubella.

Vaccination is not compulsory, the decision whether or not to vaccinate is made by the parent. An informed decision to refuse vaccination is essential, and information sources must be adequate and evidence-based.

Until school age, children are vaccinated by a family nurse or an immunisation clinic nurse. Schoolchildren are vaccinated by a school health worker. For more information on vaccination, ask your family doctor and nurse, specialist doctor or midwife.

Side effects caused by vaccines are usually mild and transient. After a vaccine injection, the child may have a fever and the injection site may be painful, red or swollen. Yellowish secretions may come from the injection site of the TB vaccine - in this case the injection site should be cleaned with boiled water. After the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, a short rash may occur which is not contagious and will pass. If the child is restless and fussy, paracetamol may be given. If the child does not have a fever, he or she can be bathed on the day of immunisation.

For comprehensive information on communicable diseases and vaccinations, visit www.vaktsineeri.ee.