Whooping cough is a very contagious disease, caused by the Bortedella pertussis bacteria. The bacteria produce a toxin that triggers coughing fits. The cough can last for months. This is why the disease is sometimes called the ‘100-day cough’. Children and pregnant people in the Netherlands can be vaccinated against whooping cough. The number of children who die from whooping cough is much lower as a result.

Mumps (parotitis epidemica) is an infectious disease. The disease is caused by the mumps virus. It often causes inflammation in the parotid glands behind the jaw, under the ears. This can lead to swelling in the cheeks. The virus spreads through the air. Children in the Netherlands can be vaccinated against mumps to prevent serious illness. 

A respiratory infection is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in your respiratory system (nose, mouth and airways) caused by a virus or bacteria. The air you breathe can contain all sorts of pathogens, including viruses and bacteria – such as Legionella or pneumococci bacteria. Common viruses that cause respiratory infections include the influenza virus (flu), the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV infections).

Young children are the most vulnerable to infectious diseases. Since every child has the right to the best possible start in life, the government offers all children living in the Netherlands vaccination against a number of infectious diseases. Parents do not have to pay for the vaccinations offered by the National Immunisation Programme.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases still in existence. It is caused by the measles virus. You can get measles if you have not had the disease before, or if you have not been vaccinated against measles. Children can be vaccinated against measles. As a result, the disease is no longer common in the Netherlands. 

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