In the Republic of Serbia immunisation is mandatory against 11 diseases:
- diphtheria (3 doses, at 2,3 and 4 months, plus boosters at 18 months, 6 and 14 years)
- haemophilus influenzae tybe B (3 doses, at 2,3 and 4 months, plus boosters at 18 months, 6 and 14 years)
- hepatitis B (3 doses, at birth, 1 month and 6 months)
- measles (2 doses, at 12-15 months and 6 years)
- mumps (2 doses, at 12-15 months and 6 years)
- pertussis (3 doses, at 2,3 and 4 months, plus boosters at 18 months, 6 and 14 years)
- poliomyelitis (3 doses, at 2,3 and 4 months, plus boosters at 18 months, 6 and 14 years)
- rubella (2 doses, at 12-15 months and 6 years)
- tetanus (3 doses, at 2,3 and 4 months, plus boosters at 18 months, 6 and 14 years)
- tuberculosis (1 dose at bith)
- pneumococcus vaccine
Starting from March 2018 pneumococcus vaccine is now mandatory as well. The HPV vaccine is not mandatory yet strongly advertised.
Hepatitis B vaccine is mandatory for health workers too.
Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children from February 2016 (new law) can be fined min € 250,00 to € 1400,00 for each refusal and are sometimes threatened with jail sentences. Before coming to court, parents are invited to have a consultation with an epidemiologist. Also, averted by the health authorities, social services investigate parents for child neglect.
There are 2 allowed temporary medical exemptions and 4 permanent contraindications identified by an Expert Team, but it is extremely difficult to get them.
- febrile condition or acute illness at the moment of a well-visit (temporary)
- decreased immunity (immunodeficiency due to: malignant diseases, antimetabolites, high corticosteroids doses, alkylating compounds or radiation and other established immunosuppression)
- confirmed allergy to components of the vaccine (anaphylaxis)
- proven side effects from a previous vaccination
- pregnancy
In addition to general contraindications to DTP vaccine − specific contraindications for vaccinations against whooping cough are the evolving neurological diseases.
No allergy tests on vaccine components are performed prior to vaccination and side effects are mostly denied and not reported. There is no compensation law or fund and most parents choose not to sue.
When deciding to refuse vaccination:
- a decision from the sanitary inspector will arrive, which requires parents to promptly bring the child to the vaccination
- an appeal against the decision of the sanitary inspector can be presented (it doesn’t postpone the immunisation)
- when the decision on appeal is against parents’ decision, an administrative dispute before the Administrative Court can be presented
- after completing an administrative dispute, institute proceedings pursuant to a constitutional complaint before the Constitutional Court
- a lawsuit can be presented to the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg
Health and Safety may initiate proceedings before the Misdemeanour Court, which is independent of the above mentioned procedures. After rendering the verdict in misdemeanor proceedings can be appealed
No refusal on religious grounds can be opposed.
Serbia announces the expansion of the calendar of vaccination and Implementation Harmonization Act on Education and the Law on patients’ rights in favor of mandatory vaccinations.
Unvaccinated children in the Republic of Serbia are not officially allowed in nurseries, preschools and kindergardens. They are presently allowed to attend pre-schools and kindergartens because the Constitution and the law guarantee school access without discrimination. In practice kindergartens started asking parents to bring vaccination card for inspection. Children are allowed in primary school, since it is considered obligatory education and there’s no homeschooling or unschooling.
No allergy tests on vaccine components are performed prior to vaccination and side effects are mostly denied and not reported. There is no compensation law or fund and most parents choose not to sue.
Adverse events following immunistation can be reported to:
(email) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(snail mail) The Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia
Vojvode Stepe 458, 11221 Belgrade
(fax) +381 0113951130″If you need to report an adverse reaction to human medicine online, please fill in the corresponding PDF form . After entering mandatory data in the form , click on”Send application”. Your application will be forwarded directly to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre.”
Online form
