Vaccinations for children, young people and pregnant women
Vaccinations help protect against serious infectious diseases. That is why children in the Netherlands receive various vaccinations through the National Immunisation Programme. There are also vaccinations available during pregnancy that can protect you and your baby.
On this page, you can find out more about vaccinations during pregnancy, the vaccination schedule for children and young people, and what to do if a vaccination has been missed.
Why are these vaccinations necessary?
Thanks to vaccinations, many serious infectious diseases are now rare in the Netherlands. Vaccination protects your child against diseases that can have serious consequences. It also helps to protect babies, older people and others with underlying health conditions.
This means that vaccination is important not only for your own child, but also for the people around him or her.
Vaccination during pregnancy
During your pregnancy, you can have vaccinations that protect not only you, but also your baby. These include the 22-week vaccination against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus and, during the flu season, the flu jab.
The 22-week scan
From 22 weeks’ pregnancy, you can have the 22-week jab. This vaccination protects against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. When you have the jab, your body produces antibodies. These are passed on to your baby via the placenta. This means your baby is already protected against these diseases from birth. This is important, as babies do not receive their first vaccinations against these diseases until they are two months old. The 22-week jab helps your baby get through the first few months safely. As a result, your child will often need one fewer vaccination later on.
Flu jab during pregnancy
Are you at least 22 weeks pregnant between 15 October and 1 March? If so, you can also have a free flu jab. The flu jab protects you during pregnancy and gives your baby extra protection against flu immediately after birth. Young babies in particular can become very ill with flu. Vaccination reduces the chance of your baby being admitted to hospital as a result.
How do you make an appointment?
You will not receive an invitation for the 22-week vaccination or the flu jab. Would you like to have a vaccination? If so, please book an appointment at the Parents’ Portal from the GGD or visit a walk-in clinic. For the latest walk-in clinic opening hours, visit the GGD website.
Do you have any questions about vaccinations?
The GGD can be contacted by telephone if you have any questions about vaccinations. You can contact them via 020 – 555 5961. They are available to answer questions about the National Vaccination Campaign from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm.
Vaccinations for children and young people
Children are offered vaccinations at various stages. These protect against serious infectious diseases such as whooping cough, measles, meningococcal disease and HPV.
The tables below show when your child will receive each vaccination and which diseases they protect against. For children aged 12 to 15 inclusive, consent is required from both the child and the parent(s). Young people aged 16 and over may decide for themselves whether they wish to be vaccinated.
| Age | Vaccination | Infectious diseases | |
| Babies and children aged 0 to 3 years | 0–2 weeks | RS | Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) |
| 6–9 weeks | Rota DKTP-HiB-HepB | Rotavirus Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B | |
| 3 months | Rota Pneumococci DKTP-HiB-HepB | Rotavirus Pneumococci Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B | |
| 5 months | Pneumococci DKTP-HiB-HepB | Pneumococci Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B | |
| 12 months | Pneumococci DKTP-HiB-HepB | Pneumococci Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B | |
| 14 months | BMR MenACWY | Mumps, measles, rubella Meningococcal ACWY | |
| 3 years | BMR | Mumps, measles, rubella | |
| Children aged 4 to 11 inclusive | 5 years | DKT | Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus |
| 10 years | HPV (2x) | Human papillomavirus | |
| Young people aged 12 to 17 inclusive | 14 years | MenACWY DTP | Meningococcal ACWY Diphtheria, tetanus, polio |
Has your child missed a vaccination?
Has your child missed one or more vaccinations from the National Immunisation Programme? This is usually not a problem. In many cases, the vaccination can still be administered.
Children aged 4 to 17 inclusive
The GGD is organising special catch-up sessions at various locations for children aged 4 to 17 who have missed a vaccination:
- Aalsmeer and Kudelstaart: Drie Kolommen Health Centre
- Amstelveen: Kamillelaan Youth Health Centre and Zonnestein Youth Health Centre
- Uithoorn: Waterlinie Health Centre
- Ouder-Amstel: Youth Health Care (JGZ) Ouder-Amstel
For all locations, please book an appointment in advance via 020 – 555 5961. The GGD is open from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Retrieved from the GGD website You’ll also find information about walk-in consultation hours in your local area. No appointment is needed for these walk-in consultation hours.
Missed vaccination appointment for a child under 4 years of age
Is your child under 4 years old and have they missed a vaccination? If so, please contact the GGD by telephone on 020 – 555 5961 to make an appointment. They are available Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm. Together, you can work out which vaccinations are still required and when they can be caught up on.
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