ASK AN EXPERT: Which seasonal vaccines are available for children in Czechia?

The weather has started to cool, which inevitably will usher in a new wave of seasonal respiratory viruses (infections). 

For parents looking to keep their kids healthy and boost their immunity, Concierge Medicine recommends making sure their vaccinations are up to date, especially for those children with weak immune systems. or chronic diseases.  

Dr. Barbora Brhlíková, a pediatrician at the private healthcare clinic, says there was a spike in seasonal infections last winter that lasted longer than usual, due in part to the lingering aftermath of the Covid pandemic. She is urging families to take preventive measures this year. 

We asked Dr. Brhlíková to break down the top viruses and bacteria (or infections) she suggests parents get their kids vaccinated against them to stay one step ahead of these pesky bugs.  

At the top of her list is, of course, the flu. While only about 6 percent of the Czech population gets vaccinated each year, Dr. Brhlíková is urging parents not to pass on the chance to give their children an extra layer of protection this season. The vaccination is available for all kids older than 6 months of age.

Since winter 2021 the flu vaccine in the form of nasal drops for kids 2 to 17 years old is available. The ideal time to get vaccinated is at the end of October or in November.        

Dr. Brhlíková says parents need to continue to stay vigilant when it comes to new strains of Covid-19. “At this moment people older than 5 years should be vaccinated with the monovalent Omicron XBB. 1.5 vaccine,” she says. “We are still waiting for the Omicron XBB. 1.5 vaccine for kids aged 6 months to 4 years.” 

RSV infections are also rampant when outside temperatures drop. Especially children younger than 6 months as well as premature babies are at a very high risk of hospitalizations if they get sick. Currently, the only vaccine available for the youngest is Synagis, which is only given to children who meet certain criteria, explains Dr. Brhlíková.

Other seasonal and vaccination-preventable infectious diseases include meningococcal infections, like sepsis and meningitis possibly with quick course and severe complications, with the greatest number of reported cases among young children and then in groups of teenagers and young adults, says Dr. Brhlíková. 

Among the optional vaccinations that Concierge Medicine strongly recommends parents consider for their children, Streptococcus pneumoniae is a big one, as it can lead to high morbidity and mortality. Kids under the age of 5 are susceptible to these inflections, which include pneumonia, sepsis, and meningoencephalitis.  

The Rotavirus vaccine is also a popular option for parents. Rotaviruses spread more during colder months and are highly infectious. Infections are usually present with vomiting and severe diarrhea in kids younger than 2 years. The vaccine can be given to infants once they are 6 weeks old. 

More and more parents are opting to get their kids vaccinated against Varicella, more commonly known as “chicken pox.” This infectious disease mostly affects kids up to 10 years of age. Those who are vaccinated are at a lower risk of developing shingles in the future. The two-shot vaccination can be given to children from 12 months up.  

Pediatricians are strong advocates of getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, which is a common threat in the Czech Republic. Autumn and winter are considered the best times for scheduling a vaccination, as the activity of ticks decreases during these seasons.

Concierge Medicine can help you set a customized vaccination plan for your children to help keep them healthy and safe. In addition to vaccinations for seasonal respiratory infections (and on top of the mandatory vaccinations), the clinic also recommends vaccinating kids against several other preventable infectious diseases.  

“We monitor patients for appropriate vaccinations and booster doses of vaccines not only in infancy and toddlerhood but throughout the entire period of our care, often up to 19 years of age.”

This article was written in association with Concierge Medicine. Read more about our partner content policies here.