Voluntary Vaccination

From infancy, we can protect our child against many diseases for which vaccination exists. Below is a list of diseases that can be prevented through voluntary vaccination, highlighting the age from which these vaccinations can be administered. This list does not include special vaccinations intended for travelers.

Rotavirus – from 6 weeks

Rotaviruses cause intestinal infections, known as stomach flu. It presents with vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Severe cases may lead to dehydration. Rotaviruses are transmitted via the fecal-oral route – through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects. After a short incubation period (1–3 days), fever, repeated vomiting, and frequent, large watery stools appear, usually without blood or mucus. Older children and adults may complain of abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, and thirst. Up to 50% of children also show signs of respiratory tract involvement. Infants can be vaccinated against rotavirus. The vaccine is in syrup form and is administered from 6 weeks of age.

Pneumococcal diseases – from 2 months

Pneumococci are bacteria that can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, middle ear infections, meningitis (brain inflammation), and sepsis (blood poisoning). They range from mild to severe life-threatening illnesses. Pneumococci commonly inhabit the upper respiratory tract and spread via droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. Respiratory viral infections often precede pneumococcal infections by weakening the immune system and mucosa, allowing further complications.

There are many types of pneumococci, and vaccines protect against the most common ones. Vaccination is partially or fully covered by health insurance, depending on the vaccine type.

Meningococcal diseases – from 6–8 weeks (depending on vaccine)

Meningococci cause sudden, highly dangerous febrile illnesses that can be life-threatening within hours. Symptoms can resemble common viral infections at first (fever, nausea, vomiting, headache), but quickly escalate. The illness takes one of three forms:

There are three types:

–Meningitis (brain inflammation) – fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, light sensitivity

–Meningococcal sepsis (blood poisoning) – fever, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, petechial rash, multi-organ failure, confusion

–Meningococcal sepsis with meningitis – combination of the above

Meningococcal infections can occur at any age, but the most at-risk groups are children aged 0–4 and adolescents aged 15–19.

Up to 30% of adolescents and 10% of adults are carriers without symptoms. Transmission is via droplets (kissing, shared glasses, etc.).

The most common types in the Czech Republic are type B and C. Vaccination is possible from 9 weeks of age.

Chickenpox – from 9 months

Common, highly contagious childhood disease spread by droplets and direct contact. Incubation: 14–21 days. Infectious 2 days before rash appears. Symptoms include itchy rash with blisters in waves, fever, weakness, headache, and respiratory infection. Severe in immunocompromised individuals and adults. Dangerous during pregnancy. Leaves lifelong immunity. Can later reactivate as shingles.

General recommendation: If a child hasn’t had chickenpox by age 13, vaccination is strongly advised.

Tick-borne encephalitis – from 1 year

Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral disease spread by tick bites or, rarely, unpasteurized goat/sheep milk.

Symptoms appear 7–14 days after infection. Often biphasic: first phase mimics flu (muscle/joint pain, headache, fatigue, fever), second phase has high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, vomiting, light sensitivity.

Rare in young children and usually mild. Vaccination can start at 1 year, but often recommended later as the illness is more dangerous for adults.

Hepatitis A – from 1 year

Also called the 'disease of dirty hands,' hepatitis A is a viral disease common in areas with poor hygiene and coastal regions. Local outbreaks occur occasionally in the Czech Republic, especially after floods. Dozens of cases are reported annually even outside outbreaks. Vaccination is possible from 1 year.

Flu – from 6 months

Influenza is a highly contagious viral illness peaking in Czechia from January to March. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, joint and muscle pain. Flu tends to be more severe and longer-lasting than a common cold.

Flu viruses A, B, and C circulate in humans. Type A mutates frequently (H1–H17, N1–N9), so a new vaccine is developed each year.

Flu spreads easily via droplets (coughing, sneezing) or contaminated objects. It can be fatal for the elderly, chronically ill, pregnant women, immunocompromised, and young children.

Human papillomavirus – HPV (linked to cervical cancer) – from 9 years

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, resulting from a common viral infection. It spreads through sexual contact; 70–80% of women will contract it in their lifetime. Most common types: 16 and 18 – all vaccines protect against them. New vaccines also protect against genital warts and other cancers (cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal).

Vaccination started between ages 13–14 is partially or fully covered by health insurance for both boys and girls.

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