Vaccinations
Why you should vaccinate
Vaccinations protect people from infectious diseases like measles, mumps and rubella. If everyone is vaccinated, the diseases may disappear altogether. Therefore, vaccinations are highly recommended in the Netherlands, but not compulsory. The government has started an initiative to educate parents in the Netherlands about vaccinations and has made it mandatory for parents to inform the daycare centres and schools of their decision.
National immunisation programme (for children)
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, known as the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM), is responsible for immunisation and there is an extensive inoculation plan for children who are born here. The Dutch national immunisation programme includes the following vaccinations:
- DKTP: D = Diphtheria, K = Whooping Cough, T = Tetanus, P = Polio-myelitis
- HIB = Haemophilus Influenza type B
- BMR = Mumps, Measles, Rubella (German measles)
- Men C = Meningitis C
- Pneu = Pneumococcal vaccination
- Hep B = Hepatitis B vaccination
- HPV = Human Papilloma Virus (only for girls)
For children in the Netherlands all vaccinations are free of charge. To ensure that children receive maximum protection against these diseases, vaccinations are given at regular intervals, starting as early as 6 to 9 weeks: 3 months, 4 months, 11 months, 14 months, 4 years, 9 years, and 12 years. A detailed schedule of vaccines can be found on the RIVM website.
--> Protect your child against 12 infectious diseases
Where to go?
If you live in The Hague, visit The Centre for Children and Families (CJG) (website in Dutch) for vaccinations for your child. Do you live in The Hague region, outside of The Hague? JGZ South-Holland West takes care of children’s vaccinations in this area.
Travel vaccinations
If you are going on a vacation, you might need a vaccination depending on your destination. Your municipal health service (GGD Haaglanden for The Hague region), regional vaccination service or family doctor can give you advice on travel vaccinations. The baby and toddler clinic or your family doctor can advise you on travel vaccinations for your children.
