B. Zakotnik
Klinika za infekcijske bolezni in vročinska stanja, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

N. Toplak
Služba za alergologijo, revmatologijo in klinično imunologijo, Pediatrična klinika Ljubljana, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija, Katedra za pediatrijo, Medicinska fakulteta, Univerza v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Vaccinations are one of the major achievements in medicine and have contributed to a significant reduction in the incidence and morbidity of infectious diseases. National programmes, the obligation of parents to vaccinate their children and the penalties for parents if they fail to vaccinate their children in countries with mandatory vaccinations, differ significantly between countries. Vaccinations against infectious diseases, including Hepatitis B (HB) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), are mandatory in Eastern European countries, except in Estonia and Lithuania. Since 2017, vaccinations have been mandatory in Italy and, as from this year, also in France. In this article, we present the current status of HB and MMR vaccinations in Slovenia and other countries. Reasons for and against the possible change in the vaccination schedule for HB and MMR vaccinations are discussed.

Key words: vaccination, infectious diseases, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, Slovenia.