Vaccinations in children

There are two types of vaccinations, i.e. reimbursed vaccinations and non-reimbursed vaccinations.

1. Kind en Gezin provides a number of vaccinations free of charge. Find out which vaccinations your child can be given at Kind en Gezin at K&G website or in the child health record booklet.
2. Non-reimbursed vaccinations:

Pneumococci

Pneumococci can cause severe ear infections and lung infections, as well as meningitis or blood poisoning resulting in severe permanent injuries or death.

De Hoge Gezondheidsraad (Supreme Health Council) recommends vaccinating infants with the PCV20 vaccine, which provides protection against 20 types of pneumococci.

The current vaccine, administered free of charge at Kind en Gezin contains 13 types (PCV13). The recommendation follows the increase in serious infections with pneumococci of the types not included in the PCV13 vaccine, but which are included in the PCV20 vaccine.

Vaccination schedule:

• 4 doses: 2m-4m-6m-12m

Current vaccine in Belgium, cost/dose: Prevenar 20: 67.51 euro

Can be administered at Kind en Gezin, prescription via family doctor pediatrician

Meningococcal B

Meningococci can cause meningitis or blood poisoning resulting in severe permanent injuries or death. The disease is rare.

De Hoge Gezondheidsraad (Supreme Health Council) does not recommend this as a general rule, but it may offer good protection individually, especially for the following age groups: 0 to 5-year-olds, 15 to 19-year-olds and persons at increased risk (to be discussed with own physician).

Vaccination schedule:

• 2 to 23 months: 3 doses (e.g. 2.5m-4.5m-13m)
• From 2 years of age: 2 doses (min. 2m interval)

Current vaccines in Belgium, cost/dose:

• Bexsero 86.52 euro (age >2 months)
• Trumenba 76.98 euro (age >10 years)

Administration by family doctor or pediatrician.

Varicella (chicken pox

This is a very common disease. In a small number of cases, there are serious complications (pneumonia, sepsis, brain damage).

De Hoge Gezondheidsraad (Supreme Health Council) does not recommend this as a general rule except for adolescents or adults who have not yet had varicella and people at increased risk (to be discussed with own physician). However, the vaccination does benefit the child.

Vaccination schedule:

• From 1 year of age: 2 doses at intervals of 8 weeks or more

Current vaccines in Belgium, cost/dose:

• Varilrix 48.68 euro
• Varivax 52.52 euro

Administration by family doctor or pediatrician.

Flue

In some cases, flu leads to serious illness and increased risk of serious complications.

De Hoge Gezondheidsraad (Supreme Health Council) recommends vaccinating children at increased risk of severe disease progress in consultation with your physician.

Vaccination schedule:

• One dose between mid-October and mid-December.
• Children under 9 years of age receiving their first flu vaccine should be given a second dose after 4 weeks.

Administration by family doctor or pediatrician.

Travel vaccinations

information is available from the travel clinic at travel hospital (services, travel clinic).

More information from Kind en Gezin, your family doctor, pediatrician and at the website of the Superior Health Council.