Smitsjúkdómavarna

Smitsjúkdómavarna is a national public health entity in Iceland that coordinates the country's immunisation services and monitors vaccine‑related safety. Founded in 1940 as the National Immunisation Service, the programme was formally renamed Smitsjúkdómavarna in 1981 to reflect its expanded mandate, which now includes not only routine childhood vaccinations but also adult immunisation, outbreak response, and public education on infectious disease prevention. The organisation operates under the Ministry of Health and works in close collaboration with the Icelandic Institute of Health, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, and various regional health offices.

The body maintains a nationwide vaccination schedule based on recommendations from the Icelandic Medical Association and guidance from the World Health Organization. Core childhood vaccines – including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, and rotavirus – are delivered through a combination of public health camps, primary care clinics, and school‑based programs. Adult immunisations focus on influenza, shingles, pneumococcal disease, tetanus booster, and COVID‑19 vaccines during pandemic periods. Smitsjúkdómavarna also facilitates seasonal influenza vaccination campaigns, targeting high‑risk groups such as the elderly and people with chronic conditions.

In addition to dispensing vaccines, the agency monitors adverse events through a national post‑vaccination surveillance network. Reports are analysed by pharmacovigilance experts and fed back into the vaccine policy process, ensuring that routine immunisation remains safe and effective. The agency publishes annual reports and real‑time data on vaccine uptake and disease incidence, which are accessible via its official website. Smitsjúkdómavarna’s outreach includes multidisciplinary educational initiatives aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy, providing transparent information about vaccine efficacy and safety, and training healthcare professionals in immunisation best practices.

Overall, Smitsjúkdómavarna functions as Iceland’s pillar for infectious disease control through vaccination, integrating clinical service delivery, evidence‑based policy development, and continuous safety monitoring within an open and responsive public health framework.