This page presents the latest figures on measles in the Netherlands. Doctors and laboratory managers notify the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) if patients have measles. The GGDs notify RIVM of these reported cases. A larger outbreak occurs in the Netherlands about once every 10–15 years. The most recent major outbreak of measles in the Netherlands was in 2013–2014.
Update 9 September 2026: Some reported cases of measles in the Netherlands
Since the previous update (3 June 2026), RIVM has not received any new reports of measles. The number of reports for 2026 is still 8. Of these 8 people, 4 were infected in the Netherlands. The other 4 people contracted measles in other countries: 2 in Indonesia, 1 in Iraq and 1 in Turkey.
Facts and figures on measles in the Netherlands
The figures below present information about trends in reported cases of measles in the Netherlands. The data for the past few months have not yet been finalised, as reports sometimes come in later.
Reported cases of measles by month
The figure below shows reported cases of measles per month since January 2023. This represents the data up to and including 8 September 2026, based on current information. Case numbers may still rise. This is because some reports are only received by RIVM later. At the beginning of December, RIVM will publish a new update of the figures.
Vaccination coverage mumps, measles, rubella (MMR)
The vaccination coverage for the MMR vaccination that also protects against measles in the Netherlands is almost 88% for infants (excluding anonymous vaccinations). More about this can be found in the RIVM report Vaccination Rate National Vaccination Programme Netherlands. Reporting year 2026. On the website VZ-info there are maps with the vaccination figures per municipality in the Netherlands (only in Dutch).
Reported cases of measles, 1976–2025
The figure below shows reported cases of measles per year since 1976. The measles vaccine has been included in the National Immunisation Programme since 1976. Since it was introduced, there has been a very clear decrease in reported cases of measles, but a measles outbreak has occurred every 10–14 years. These major outbreaks primarily occur in areas with low vaccination coverage. The number of reported cases are significantly lower than the number of people who contract measles during a major outbreak. About 10% (1 in 10) of measles patients were reported in the outbreak in 2013–2014.