Health care guideline

Maternity care services are free, and expectant mothers can either visit the health center in their neighborhood or choose another location and register there.

Interviews and examinations are available from the beginning of pregnancy until childbirth. The first interview with a midwife is usually conducted over the phone shortly after the pregnancy is confirmed. It is recommended that the first meeting takes place within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The number of maternity examinations varies depending on circumstances, usually between 8-10 times. Between examinations, it is possible to receive phone consultations with a midwife.

Well-Child Care takes over from maternity care when the family returns home from the birthing center, and the home care provided by midwives concludes.

In the first weeks after childbirth, nurses from the healthcare center make home visits to the family. Therefore, parents are requested to contact the nurse promptly after returning home. The first medical examination at the healthcare center is usually around 6 weeks of age.

Subsequently, regular check-ups are conducted by nurses and doctors until school age. During these check-ups, growth, development, vaccinations, and other aspects are monitored. In the check-ups, recommendations are given on breastfeeding, sleep issues, discipline and parenting, nutrition, and accident prevention. Additionally, parents can always contact the nurse with any questions or concerns regarding their child.

Further information about infant and toddler healthcare.

Nurses and doctors at the healthcare centers oversee the health care of school children in the vicinity of the centers.

The main focuses in the health care of school children include:

• Education and health promotion
• Vaccinations
• Screenings
• Health and well-being interviews
• Supervision and monitoring of care for chronically ill children within the school
• Guidance for students, their families, and school staff

You can contact school nurses by calling the school.

Further information about health care of elementary school children.

For Travelers

On the Heilsuvera online chat here on the website, you can ask for recommendations about the vaccinations needed for your travels.  Standardized questions about your journey will be presented. Once all information is provided, a vaccination plan will be generated on My pages after 3 - 10 working days. Individuals will be notified when the plan is ready. The vaccination plan takes into consideration previous vaccinations and the duration of the stay.

When the vaccination plan is received, people can come to Þönglabakki 1, 109 Reykjavík every weekday between 09:00-15:00 to buy vaccine and get vaccination from a nurse.

Further information about vaccinations for travellers. 

General Vaccinations

Vaccination is important throughout life. In Iceland, basic vaccinations are usually administered during childhood and adolescence (up to 14 years old), covering diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, HPV, and polio, among others.

In adulthood, vaccination remains essential, either because certain diseases are more common or severe at older ages or because booster doses are needed to maintain long-term protection.

Some vaccines, such as for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio, are recommended every 10 years. This recommendation is even more relevant for those planning to travel to countries where these diseases are still prevalent.

People over 60 years old or those with chronic conditions are advised to get vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) bacteria.

If vaccinations were received outside of Iceland and you have a vaccination certificate or card, it is important to request that your health center register these vaccinations in your vaccination record. These records will be accessible in My Pages within Heilsuvera.

For more information or vaccine-related guidance, you can contact your health center or use the Heilsuvera online chat.

It should be noted that a referral from a doctor is required for tests such as blood tests, X-rays, etc.

Blood Tests

If you wish to undergo a blood test, you must schedule an appointment with your family doctor and request the test. Once the request is submitted, contact the healthcare center to schedule an appointment for the blood test or visit Landspítali hospital on weekdays at the blood sample reception between 08:00 am and 3:45 pm.

With organized screening or examinations, it is possible to detect cancer in the cervix, breasts, colon, and rectum at an early stage before symptoms become apparent. If cancer is found in the early stages, the prognosis is often better.
In Iceland, screening is conducted for cervical cancer and breast cancer in women.

Cervical cancer screening:

Women between the ages of 23 and 64 who have received an invitation letter, can make an appointment for cervical cancer screening by calling the most suitable health care unit. Women who have received an invitation letter and live in the capital area can also book on My pages at heilsuvera.is

Breast cancer screening:

Women between the ages of 40 and 74 who have received an invitation letter for breast cancer screening can make an appointment. Appointments can be made at Landspítali Breast Center by phone at 543-9560 between 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-15:30 every weekday. You can also order on the Breast Center's website or send an inquiry to the email address brjostaskimun@landspitali.is.

On the Health Service website, you can see how the screening process is organized across the country. You need to choose a healthcare center on the map and click on cancer screening under services. We encourage women to familiarize themselves with the service and respond positively to screening invitations.

Organized screening for colorectal and rectal cancer has not yet been implemented here, as in some other countries. Such screening usually involves searching for hidden blood in stool samples and colonoscopy if the sample is positive. You can request an examination from your family doctor or directly book a colonoscopy with a specialist.

The best way to renew your prescriptions is online, through My Pages on Heilsuvera. To do this, log in with your electronic ID (e-ID).

You can view prescriptions issued in the past three years, as well as those of your children under 16 years old, and an indication of whether the prescription has been used.

You can also renew your medications by phone. Each health center has a dedicated line for this purpose. Information about direct phone lines is available on each health center's website.

Which medications can be renewed?

You can request the renewal of medications you take regularly, provided they have been prescribed by your family doctor or another doctor at the health center.

Antibiotics, strong painkillers, sedatives, or sleeping pills can only be renewed during a medical consultation. 

Reusable Prescriptions:

To save time and effort, the use of reusable prescriptions is recommended for regularly used medications. These prescriptions can be valid for up to one year. To obtain a multi-use prescription, you must first attend a consultation with your family doctor.

If you have had sexual contact with someone you do not know well or do not trust, you can visit a doctor to check if you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Most of those who become infected show no symptoms, but symptoms can also appear briefly and then disappear. However, the infection persists.

Many may have a feeling that something might be wrong without being able to pinpoint specific symptoms. If this is the case, it is advisable to contact the nearest healthcare center and consult with a doctor or nurse to receive guidance on the next steps. Typically, the process begins with obtaining a urine sample, blood test, and a physical examination.
If you experience symptoms that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection, you should seek medical attention immediately.

You can also call 543-6050 to make an appointment for a check at the Outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Landspítali University Hospital. 

In case of a sudden and short-term illness, you can request a sickness certificate through My pages (isl. mínar síður) at Heilsuvera (heilsuvera.is).

Select the following:

Message  -> New message, then choose the category Certificate – employer and school certificate and continue. 

You pay for the certificate and then it appears on your sites, under My pages, after few days.

For long-term illnesses and other certificates, e.g. for driving licenses or letters of authorization, it is always necessary to make an appointment  with a general doctor at your health care center.