Vaccinations

Vaccinations play an important role in protecting your health and the health of others. Vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases. Through a vaccination, your body learns to recognise a pathogen. If you later come into contact with that disease, your body can react quickly and you usually don't get sick or get less sick. In the Netherlands, you get many vaccinations through the National Vaccination Programme. You can also get some vaccinations from your GP practice or the GGD.

A baby is being vaccinated by a nurse, with the mother in the background.

Vaccinations for children, young people and pregnant women

Age Vaccination Infectious diseases Infants and children aged 0 to 3 years 0–2 weeks RS Respiratory syncytial virus (RS virus) 6–9 weeks Rota DTP-HiB-HepB Rotavirus Diphtheria

A person is given an injection in the arm as part of the vaccination programme.

Pneumococcal vaccination

Pneumococcal disease is a collective term for infections caused by the pneumococcal bacteria.

Flu shot

The flu shot is an annual vaccination that protects you against the flu.

A rash with red patches on the stomach

Shingles

Do you suffer from itching, tingling, burning or pain on part of your skin and see spots? Then there is a chance you are suffering from shingles.

A person shows the vaccination sticker on their arm following a COVID-19 vaccination.

Travel vaccinations

When you go to a faraway country, you often need shots to protect yourself from disease. Find out if you need a vaccination.

Close-up of a child with a rash on their face

Measles in children

Think your child has measles? Find out how to recognise it and what you can do.