Vaccination system
- Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is free of charge to all Estonian residents, even if they don’t have a national health insurance.
- Getting vaccinated is voluntary.
- Vaccination is available to all residents above 5- years of age.
- Vaccination against COVID-19 is organized based on implementation strategy and principles. More information available in Estonian HERE.
Who organize vaccination?
Estonian Health Insurance Board
The Estonian Health Insurance Board ensures that in all the counties, hospitals and family physician centres, there are enough vaccinators and places to get vaccinated. Also, it’s their responsibility to ensure that vaccinators have enough vaccines. Furthermore, the Estonian Health Insurance Board is responsible for providing information about vaccinations.
State Agency of Medicines
The State Agency of Medicines keeps an eye on the development of the vaccines and medicines against COVID-19, and participates in the process of assessing the applications for sales licences. Also, side effect reports are collected and analysed, forwarded to the European Medical Agency’s database, new risks are assessed and the stats about side effects is published.
Ministry of Social Affairs
The Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for strategic management of the vaccination: setting the objectives and principles, monitoring the progress of the vaccination, and assessing the budgetary needs and applying for funding.
Additionally, the Ministry of Social Affairs has formed the Immunoprophylaxis Committee, that advises the Ministry in all aspects of vaccination. For example, indications of use of vaccines, also target groups and vaccination intervals are decided based on the recommendations of the state immunoprophylaxis committee.
Estonian Health Board
The Estonian Health Board is responsible for the vaccine supply, storing and logistics.
Health and Wellness Information Systems Centre
Health and Wellness Information Systems Centre develops systems needed to organize the vaccination in the patient’s portal and digital registry, also supports with the communication of how to use COVID-19 (immunization) certificates.
Medical Health Care providers
Medical Health Care providers, for example family medicine centres, hospitals and private clinics, consult people about the vaccination and vaccinate them.
National Institute for Health Development
The National Institute for Health Development (TAI) collects and analyses health and healthcare stats (including the causes of death). Also, it conducts surveys among residents to assess the influence this coronavirus pandemic has caused on the health behaviour and mentality of Estonian residents. The experts of TAI monitor the information about the COVID-19 (spread, the effectiveness of the restrictions, vaccination, etc) published in science magazines. They also participate in working groups to blueprint the measures to increase the vaccination against COVID-19.
Media Contacts
The Ministry of Social Affairs – press@sm.ee
Health Board – kommunikatsioon@terviseamet.ee
Estonian Health Insurance Board – press@tervisekassa.ee
State Agency of Medicines – info@ravimiamet.ee
