Hungarian Immunization Requirements

Immunization requirements in Hungary are strictly tied to COMPULSORY VACCINATIONS and much stricter than in many other countries. Parents have no discretion over the administration of compulsory childhood vaccines. Antibody tests are not acceptable as proof of immunity (except for the BCG vaccine administered during infancy).

 

UNDER HUNGARIAN LAW, ANY CHILD WHO RESIDED IN HUNGARY FOR LONGER THAN 3 MONTHS MUST MEET THE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE HUNGARIAN PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY. 

A STUDENT WHO WISHES TO ATTEND OUR SCHOOL MUST PROVIDE LEGIBLE PROOF OF HAVING RECEIVED ALL COMPULSORY VACCINATIONS (see below). 

The documents are required to be uploaded during the admission/enrollment process in Hungarian or English (or a certified translation into these languages translated by OFFI, Orbit Translation, GTS, or UTS).

 

Students must submit proof of having met the Immunization Requirements during the admission/enrollment process, but no later than 2 WEEKS BEFORE their first day attending ICSB. 

Should students have any missing compulsory vaccines (or be unable to prove the administration of any compulsory vaccinations), they can receive these vaccinations:

Compulsory Vaccinations

 

Consequences of Not Meeting the Immunization Requirements

 

While a student may be admitted to kindergarten or school in the absence of compulsory vaccinations, the institution's public health nurse is obligated to report to the Public Health Authority any missing vaccinations on the child's first day attending school (unless the child is exempted* from having to receive a vaccination), thereby initiating the enforcement actions below, set forth by law. 

Additionally, ICSB considers non-compliance a health risk to our community, and after a reasonable grace period, to be a breach of the enrollment contract.

*Exemption

The only exception to having to meet the compulsory vaccination requirements is if the Public Health Authority issues an official exemption certificate, after the conclusion of a thorough waiver procedure by a medical committee of independent medical experts. The exemption procedure may be initiated by the parent or the child's pediatrician/treating physician. The application must be submitted to the Public Health Authority for each vaccination separately. The school is excluded from the procedure and has no influence on the committee's decision.

 

Additional Requirements for Students from High Tuberculosis Burden Countries

If students come from High Tuberculosis Burden Countries (listed below), they are required to provide (upload proof of) a negative Quantiferon blood test during the admission process, even if they have had the BCG vaccination during infancy.

High Tuberculosis Burden Countries*:

Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Moldova, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia.

*Based on the WHO Tuberculosis Report 2020 and 2021 (last updated: January 2023)