News | RIVM

Vaccination coverage decreased slightly among babies and pre-school children, slightly increased among teenagers

The percentage of babies and pre-school children who have been vaccinated has decreased slightly again this year in comparison with last year. At the same time, the vaccination coverage among teenagers has increased. These findings are from the report by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) on ‘Vaccination Coverage of the National Immunisation Programme in the Netherlands – 2026’.

Significantly fewer babies in Dutch ICUs thanks to injection against RSV

Over the past few months, about three-quarters of infants in the Netherlands have had an injection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As a result, there have been significantly fewer babies admitted to children’s intensive care units (ICU). In the 2024-2025 season, a total of 178 infants had been admitted to ICU due to RSV infections by the start of February. In this season, there have been 43 infant ICU admissions for RSV so far. Since September 2025, an injection against RSV has been included in the National Immunisation Programme.

Vaccination coverage decreased slightly among babies and toddlers, while HPV vaccination coverage rose

The percentage of babies and toddlers that were vaccinated in the framework of the National Immunisation Programme appears to have decreased slightly compared to last year. During the same period, there was a clear increase in vaccination coverage for the HPV vaccination, which children receive around the age of 10 years.

One adult in the Netherlands has died from measles

It was reported today that an adult in the Netherlands has died from measles this week. The deceased patient had a severe immune disorder, leading to insufficient protection against this infectious disease. The patient was admitted to hospital with measles 2 weeks ago. Even after the Municipal Health Services (GGDs) conducted source tracing, where the person contracted measles is still unknown.

HPV vaccination prevents most cases of cervical cancer

Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) offers highly effective protection against cervical cancer. These findings are from the first group of women who could get the HPV vaccination and have a smear test.

National Immunisation Programme: more cases of illness in 2023

In 2023, more people in the Netherlands contracted a disease which is vaccinated against in the context of the National Immunisation Programme (RVP) than in 2022. This is because coronavirus measures, such as physical distancing, were still in effect for part of 2022.

Data from National Immunisation Programme available through MijnRIVM and in personal digital health environments

From 20 November on, data from National Immunisation Programme will be available through the client portal provided by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM): Mijn.RIVM.nl . The data can also be accessed through five personal digital health environments qualified for this purpose.

Changes in childhood vaccination schedule for 2025

Starting in 2025, the vaccination schedule used in the National Immunisation Programme for children will be updated. The changes apply to four scheduled vaccination times. This offers children even better protection against infectious diseases, such as measles and whooping cough.

Vaccination coverage of babies and toddlers remained about the same, but decreased among older children

The percentage of babies and toddlers that were vaccinated in the framework of the National Immunisation Programme remained about the same compared to last year. In children aged 9 years and older, vaccination coverage continued to decrease for most of the national childhood immunisations.

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