Romania Child Vaccinations | Schedule & Information

The European Medicines Agency is the institution responsible for evaluating and monitoring vaccines, so that these substances can be administered safely, with minimal adverse effects. Later, after completing the tests, the European Commission issues the authorization to introduce the vaccine on the market. Vaccination schedules may vary from one country to another that refer to the age at which the vaccine is administeredthe population groups to which they are addressed, the number and time of administration of doses, as well as the possibility of simultaneous administration of several biological preparations to obtain immunization.

According to the National Vaccination Calendar valid in 2025, the main vaccines that must be administered to children, as well as the age at which they must be administered, refer to:

• Hepatitis B vaccine administered in the first 24 hours of the newborn’s life in the maternity ward;
• The Calmette Guerrin BCG vaccine administered between days 2-7 of the newborn’s life;
• The DTPa-VPI-Hib-Hep.B vaccine and the antipneumococcal vaccine administered at 2, 4 and 11 months of the infant’s life by the family doctor;
• The measles-rubella-mumps ROR vaccine at 1 and 5 years of the child’s life respectively by the family doctor;
• The diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis acellular poliomyelitis vaccine DTPa-VPI in the age range of 5-6 years by the family doctor;
• The diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine at 14 years of age of the child at the family doctor’s office.

According to the list of therapeutic protocols approved by the ministry, the eligibility criteria for vaccines depending on their type are the following:

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Hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis B vaccine provides protection against the infection caused by the hepatitis B virus and the complications of this pathology, which include liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Immunization is obtained by administering a vaccine that contains the major surface antigen of the virus.

Contraindications for vaccine immunization against hepatitis B refer to severe allergic reactions and known hypersensitivity to the components of the preparation such as yeast or egg proteins.

Calmette Guerrin BCG vaccine

Calmette Guerrin BCG vaccine, the only vaccine that offers protection against tuberculosis and non-tuberculous infections caused by leprosy and Buruli ulcer mycobacteria.

Contraindications to this type of immunization include immunosuppression due to congenital or secondary causes associated with HIV infection and medication such as corticosteroids. Learn more about the BCG vaccine in newborns: protection and risks

The DTPa-VPI-Hib-Hep.B and the anti-pneumococcal vaccine

The DTPa-VPI-Hib-Hep.B and the anti-pneumococcal vaccine – in this vaccination session, immunization is carried out against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B virus, poliomyelitis, haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumonia and acute otitis media caused by pneumococcus.

The administration of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine does not replace the use of 23-valent polysaccharide vaccines in children aged > 2 years with underlying pathologies (sickle cell anemia, asplenia, HIV infection) that associate an increased risk of the disease caused by S. pneumoniae.

The contraindications of this vaccine refer to the previous existence of a severe reaction or hypersensitivity to any of the active substances, excipients contained in the preparation, neomycin and polymyxin.

In the case of administering the primary vaccination series to premature newborns (≤ 28 weeks of pregnancy) and especially those associated with respiratory immaturity, the potential risk of apnea and the need to monitor respiratory function for 48-72 hours post-vaccination must be taken into account.

The measles-rubella-mumps MMR vaccine

The measles-rubella-mumps MMR vaccine can be administered in the same vaccination session with one or more inactivated vaccines (influenza, Haemophilis influenzae type B, HepB, pneumococcal or COVID 19) in different administration sites. MOR vaccine can be administered simultaneously, one month before or one month after the administration of other vaccines with live viruses (varicella, zoster, rotaviral).

The contraindications of this vaccine refer to anaphylactic and hypersensitivity reactions in the antecedents to the same preparation or its component, severe primary or secondary immunodeficiency quantifiable, according to the number of CD4+ lymphocytes. Learn more about childhood diseases

Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis acellular poliomyelitis vaccine DTPa-VPI

Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis acellular poliomyelitis vaccine DTPa-VPI provides immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis, being able to be administered both alone and together with other biological preparations in the same vaccination session.

Contraindications refer to hypersensitivity to any of the active substances or excipients of the biological preparation, existing in the personal history of a severe reaction on the part of the infant to the same type of vaccine or encephalopathy of undetermined cause occurring in the first 7 days after the administration of a vaccine containing pertussis components.

Optional vaccines for children

Apart from this national vaccination calendar, parents can opt for the child’s immunization against other diseases frequently encountered in this stage of growth and development, which include:

• The rotaviral vaccine with protection against rotavirus that associates specific clinical manifestations of the digestive tract (vomiting, diarrhea) and fever that can cause severe dehydration. Immunization is carried out by oral administration of the biological preparation at the age of 2 and 3 months, respectively;
• Antimeningococcal vaccine offers protection against meningococcal meningitis and septicemia caused by the MenB strain of meningococcus. Immunization is carried out at 2 and 4 months, respectively, with a booster after reaching the age of 1 year;
• The flu vaccine – in infants, the first contact with influenza viruses usually occurs in the first winter season of the little one, so that the specific immunization must be carried out at least 10-14 days before this period. Anti-influenza vaccines for pediatric use can be inactivated (by injection in children older than 6 months), live attenuated (in the form of a nasal spray that can be administered from the age of 2), quadrivalent (two influenza A strains and two B strains) and trivalent (one influenza B strain and two A);
• Vaccine against infections caused by human papilloma virus HPV – currently, in Romania, female persons between the ages of 19 and 45 can benefit from HPV vaccination in a 50% compensated regime based on a prescription issued by doctors of all specialties under contract with CNAS; HPV vaccination in men prevents the occurrence of both penile cancers and those affecting the anal and oropharyngeal mucosa caused by this pathogen. Currently, the vaccine is included in the National Immunization Plan for both girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 18 (19 years not completed);
• The varicella vaccine it can be administered starting with the child’s age of at least 12 months and under certain conditions upon the doctor’s recommendation, to infants starting with the age of 9 months. The vaccine contains live attenuated virus and is contraindicated for people diagnosed with oncological, hematological pathologies, HIV infection, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS and those who are under treatment with pharmacological substances that decrease the functioning capacity of the immune system (corticosteroids);
• Vaccination against hepatitis A it is addressed to children and adolescents between the ages of 1 and 15 inclusive, in 2 doses, at intervals of 6 to a maximum of 12 months, to ensure long-term effective protection.

The insufficient vaccination rates recorded recently in the European Union are due to the limited access to immunization services of disadvantaged communities, supply disruption, misinformation about vaccines, armed conflicts and geopolitical instability. The decline in public confidence in the effectiveness of vaccines has increased significantly due to the coronavirus pandemic, the widespread dissemination of false information and malicious disinformation about vaccination.

The European Commission actively supports the EU member states to maintain and increase the vaccination rates for newborns, infants and children, against the seasonal flu of risk population groups, against cervical cancer and the H1N1 pandemic flu. In the period 2022-2025, the European Commission carried out the United Protection communication campaign to raise awareness among the general public about the benefits of vaccination in accordance with each stage of the individual’s life.

References:

• Bacillus Calmette GuerinChildren N. Okafor, Alysan Rewaane, Ephian A.
• EU/EEA vaccination calendarsEuropean Vaccination Information Portal
• National Vaccination Calendar
• About vaccinesEuropean Vaccination Information Portal
• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine VISCDC
• FDA: HPV vaccine, also approved for the 27-45 age group
• Immunization of babies up to one year old
• Infanrix hexa, inn-diphthera (D), tetanus
• INN-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13-valent
• General presentation – vaccinationEuropean Commission
• Protocols-vaccines-Aug-2025
• Varilrix