Serbia

Vaccination policies

In the Republic of Serbia, immunization is mandatory against 11 diseases:

1. diphtheria (3 doses, at 2,3, 4 and 18 months, plus boosters at 6 months, 14 and XNUMX years)
2. haemophilus influenzae tybe B (3 doses, at 2,3, 4 and 18 months, plus boosters at 6 months, 14 and XNUMX years)
3. hepatitis B (3 doses, at birth, at 1 month and at 6 months)
4. measles (2 doses, at 12-15 months and 6 years)
5. mumps (2 doses, at 12-15 months and 6 years)
6. whooping cough (3 doses, at 2,3, 4 and 18 months, plus boosters at 6 months, 14 and XNUMX years)
7. poliomyelitis (3 doses, at 2,3, 4 and 18 months, plus boosters at 6 months, 14 and XNUMX years)
8. rubella (2 doses, at 12-15 months and at 6 years)
9. tetanus (3 doses, at 2,3, 4 and 18 months, plus boosters at 6 months, 14 and XNUMX years)
10. tuberculosis (1 dose per month)
11. pneumococcal vaccine

Since March 2018, the pneumococcal vaccine has also been mandatory. The HPV vaccine is not mandatory but is heavily advertised.

The hepatitis B vaccine is also mandatory for health professionals.

Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children starting from February 2016 (new law) can be fined with fines ranging from 250,00 to 1400,00 euros for each refusal and sometimes risk prison. Before going to court, parents are advised to have a consultation with an epidemiologist. Furthermore, prevented by the health authorities, the social services investigate the parents for abandoning minors.

There are 2 temporary medical exemptions and 4 permanent contraindications identified by a team of experts, but it is extremely difficult to obtain them.

• feverish state or acute illness at the time of the check-up (temporary)
• decreased immunity (immunodeficiency due to: malignant disease, antimetabolites, high doses of corticosteroids, alkylating compounds, or radiation, and other established immunosuppressions)
• known allergy to vaccine components (anaphylaxis)
• known side effects of a previous vaccination
• pregnancy

In addition to the general contraindications to DTP vaccine, the specific contraindications to pertussis vaccination are evolving neurological diseases. Allergy testing of vaccine components is not performed prior to vaccination, and side effects are mostly denied and unreported. There is no law or compensation fund, and most parents choose not to sue.

When deciding to refuse vaccination:

• a decision comes from the health inspector, requiring parents to promptly bring the child to be vaccinated
• it is possible to appeal against the decision of the health inspector (does not postpone vaccination)
• if the decision of the appeal is contrary to the decision of the parents, an administrative dispute can be filed with the Administrative Court
• after concluding the administrative dispute, a constitutional appeal can be presented to the Constitutional Court
• an appeal can be lodged with the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights.

Health and Safety can initiate proceedings in the Misdemeanor Court, which is independent of the procedures mentioned above. An appeal can be filed after the verdict in the minor offenses proceedings.
It is not possible to refuse for religious reasons.

Serbia announces the expansion of the vaccination schedule and the implementation of the Law on Harmonization on Education and the Law on Patients' Rights in favor of compulsory vaccinations.

School

In the Republic of Serbia unvaccinated children are not officially admitted to kindergartens, preschools and kindergartens. Children can attend primary school, as it is considered a compulsory education.

homeschooling

Homeschooling is legal in Serbia, but is intended for children with disabilities or illnesses that prevent them from attending school full time and who require special educational accommodations.

For more information visit the websiteHSLDA.

Vaccination schedule

For more information visit the websiteEcdc.

Recognition and compensation for vaccine injuries

Allergy testing of vaccine components is not performed prior to vaccination, and side effects are mostly denied and unreported. There is no law or compensation fund, and most parents choose not to sue.

Adverse events following immunization can be reported to:
(e-mail) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(ordinary mail) Medicines and Medical Devices Agency Agency of Serbia
Vojvode Stepe 458, 11221 Belgrade
(fax) +381 0113951130″If you want to report an adverse reaction to a human drug online, fill in the corresponding PDF form. After entering the mandatory data in the form, click on "Send application". The request will be forwarded directly to the National Pharmacovigilance Center".

Local organizations pro-freedom of choice in the therapeutic field