Young children, people who are 60 years and older and people whose immune system is compromised have a higher risk of becoming ill from a pneumococcal infection. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent pneumococcal disease.
In the Netherlands, these following groups are offered vaccination against pneumococcal disease in various ways:
- Infants up to 11 months receive a vaccination through the National Immunisation Programme.
- Everyone born in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1966 will receive an invitation for vaccination against pneumococcal disease via their General Practitioner (GP) in autumn 2026. On the Dutch Caribbean islands all people aged between 60 and older will receive an invitation from their island’s physician.
- Some people have health conditions that cause a higher risk of serious illness due to pneumococcal disease. This includes people with sickle cell anemia or people who do not have a spleen. People who have had COVID-19 and suffered lung damage as a result are also included in the medical risk group for the time being They can get the vaccination against pneumococcal disease through their treating physician (medical specialist). People with a medical indication will not automatically receive an invitation from their GP. For more information on pneumococcal vaccination for people with a medical indication, see Vaccination against pneumococcal disease for medical risk groups.
If you are not in these groups and would still like to be vaccinated, consult with your GP to see whether it is possible. If you request the vaccine yourself, please note that there are costs involved.