Every year, the Ministry of Health lists 10 vaccines that children need to get to school. This is not compulsory, but it is the most effective and safe way to protect children from contagious diseases and prevent any heart-related injuries during sports but also to protect the community in the school.
If your children have PAAYPA or Social Security Number (A.M.K.A.), when you enrol your children take their vaccination cards or any other proof of vaccination with you to the school. The school may say that the vaccines listed on your their Card) are enough.
Where to get vaccinations
If you have PAAYPA or Social Security Number (AMKA), you can make an appointment in Primary Medical Care (P.E.D.Y.), Health Centers, Local Health Units (T.O.M.Y.). You need to call at 1535 to make an appointment.
As the appointment date might be several weeks later than the beginning of school, you can still enroll your children, and you can provide the vaccination booklet during the following weeks, once you do the vaccination. Every child should have its own vaccination booklet. You can buy one at a low cost in any bookstore or ask your doctor for a free booklet if she/he has available.
The day of your appointment the doctors will give you a prescription for the vaccines and you have to go and buy it at the closest pharmacy. This is for free if you have the insurance number. After that, you visit the doctor again with a new appointment and the child can be vaccinated.
If you live in an official refugee camp
Ask the staff at your camp for help. They may be organizing school vaccinations. If not they will give you further information and direct you to the nearest Primary Medical Care (P.E.D.Y.), Health Centers, Local Health Units (T.O.M.Y.) you can visit.
If you live in an accommodation program by an NGO
Ask UNHCR or NGO staff at your site for help. They may be organizing school vaccinations. If not they will give you further information and direct you to the nearest Primary Medical Care (P.E.D.Y.), Health Centers, Local Health Units (T.O.M.Y.) you can visit.
If you are shelf accommodated
You can seek information at any Social Service (at NGOs or Public Sector If your children do not have PAAYPA or Social Security Number (A.M.K.A.) in that case you can address to local medical organizations (N.G.O.s).
Visit our Service map and search according to your location and your region.
In Athens, you can also get free school vaccinations at the Red Cross Education Health Facility in Panormou. You must make an appointment. Appointments are limited. You also need to take an interpreter with you.
You can also visit any pediatric health center for free school vaccinations. Try to get a Social Security Number first.
Also, you can call the MEDICINS DU MONDE (MDM), book an appointment and go for the vaccination. Contact: 210 32 13 150. You can also CALL the Smile of the Child, following the same steps. Contact: 2107647760
To make an appointment at Primary Medical Care (P.E.D.Y.) and Local Health Units (T.O.M.Y.) in your area, call 14900 asking for an appointment with a pediatrician for vaccination specifically.
Calls cost €1, and operators speak only Greek. If you can’t speak Greek, ask someone who does to make the call for you.