The Netherlands has an extensive National Immunisation Programme to protect children against infectious diseases. The programme includes vaccination against 13 potentially fatal infectious diseases.

These difficult to treat and potentially fatal infectious diseases are:

Vaccination schedule National Immunisation Programme

Infants receive their first two vaccinations when they are three months old. Their immune system is already capable of a vigorous response at that age. The timing of the vaccinations has been designed to offer the best protection. Very young babies are extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases such as whooping cough. A child usually receives two injections per visit. The vaccinations are administered in the thigh or upper arm.

It is essential that children complete the vaccination cycle as scheduled. If your child has not been vaccinated as scheduled, you need to seek medical advice to ensure that your child receives adequate protection.

 

Download the vaccination schedule (PDF)
As 2024 the rotavirus vaccination is included in the NIP. The schedule will be updated soon.

Free of charge

The Immunisation Programme is free of charge. While participation is not compulsory, over 95% of parents consent to having their children vaccinated. The high vaccination rate means that these serious diseases have now become a rarity. We need to keep it that way by ensuring that children are vaccinated.