On 27 March 2024, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued an advisory opinion stating that the COVID-19 vaccination should no longer be made available to all pregnant people, which was adopted by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). COVID-19 vaccination is safe during pregnancy, but is not usually necessary. COVID-19 no longer leads to a higher risk of serious illness and complications during pregnancy, and a vaccination does not achieve significant health advantages for most pregnant people.
When can I still get a COVID-19 vaccination?
Are you pregnant, and is your treating physician recommending that you get a vaccination? For example due to illness or medication? Then you can make an appointment with the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) for a COVID-19 vaccination all year round.
Why is a COVID-19 vaccination no longer considered necessary during pregnancy?
Various studies show that the risk of serious illness caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy is currently low. Moreover, it had previously been observed that COVID-19 during pregnancy increased the risk of premature birth. More recent data shows that there is no longer an elevated risk of premature birth. This is probably due to a combination of the milder course of illness caused by the Omicron variant, and the immunity built up by previous vaccinations and infections.
Is it safe to get vaccinated during pregnancy?
Research has shown that mRNA vaccines are safe for the pregnant person and the baby. No reports of unusual side effects during pregnancy have been registered by Lareb, the pharmacovigilance centre that tracks side effects in the Netherlands.
Pregnancy and other vaccinations
During pregnancy, you can also get vaccinated against whooping cough and flu. These vaccinations protect your baby against whooping cough and severe flu right from birth. Read more about these vaccinations during pregnancy.
What is advised regarding other vaccinations during pregnancy?
The advisory opinion of the Health Council only applies to the COVID-19 vaccination. Are you pregnant? Then it is still advisable to get the maternal whooping cough vaccination after your 22nd week of pregnancy. It protects your baby against whooping cough right from birth. Whooping cough causes severe coughing fits that make it hard for your baby to inhale, and shortness of breath can make your baby vomit frequently. As a result, the baby may become exhausted and dehydrated. Potential complications include pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage, and possibly even death.
> More information about the maternal whooping cough vaccination
It is also still advisable to get the flu vaccine during pregnancy. Newborn babies have a higher risk of serious consequences from flu, such as hospital admission. If the mother gets the flu vaccine during pregnancy, the baby is less likely to get the flu after being born. The seasonal flu vaccine is given between 15 October and 1 March.
> More information about the flu vaccine during pregnancy
More information about COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy
- The position statement posted by the Dutch Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (NVOG): Vaccination against COVID-19 in the context of pregnancy (in Dutch)
- Watch the NVOG live stream on pregnancy and vaccination against COVID-19 (in Dutch)
- Vaccinating against COVID-19 while pregnant or trying to become pregnant (Information provided by the Dutch Government)
- How do I get vaccinated against COVID-19? (Information provided by the Dutch Government)
- COVID-19: Latest safety data provide reassurance about use of mRNA vaccines during pregnancy | European Medicines Agency (EMA)