In the Netherlands, participation in the National Immunisation Programme is high enough to prevent outbreaks of infectious disease, either partly or entirely. However, the number of people participating in the National Immunisation Programme is decreasing. This is a cause for concern. If this trend continues, there may be new outbreaks of diseases such as measles. It is important to understand why people choose whether or not to have vaccinations given to themselves or their children. We also need to know how communication about vaccinations can be aligned most effectively with parents’ needs.

Rubella is called ‘rodehond’ in Dutch. It is a highly contagious disease caused by the rubella virus. Usually, you do not become very ill. The virus spreads through coughing and sneezing. The virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can lead to miscarriage or severe birth defects in their unborn child. Children receive 2 vaccinations against rubella, at 14 months and at the age of 9.

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. It can be transmitted from mother to child at birth, through sexual contact or through contact with infected blood. Children who have contracted hepatitis B are at particular risk of becoming chronic carriers of the virus. Children receive a vaccination against hepatitis B four times before their first birthday.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection with a bacterium. The bacterium can be transmitted through coughing or by touching. Usually, you become ill 2 to 5 days after infection. The bacterium often damages tissue, such as the skin or lungs. Before there was a vaccination against diphtheria in the Netherlands, many children died. It is included in the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. 

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw or trismus, is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. As soon as the bacterium (which can be found in street refuse, for example) enters an open wound, a tetanus infection can be contracted. Since 1954, children have been receiving a vaccination against tetanus, 4 times before their first birthday and at the ages of 4 and 9.

Hib stands for Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterium that occurs occasionally in the nasal cavity of almost all people. The bacterium usually does not pose a danger and you do not become ill or it remains limited to a runny nose, strep throat, ear infection or sinusitis. In young children, the infection can be serious and cause pneumonia, meningitis or a life-threatening throat infection. The vaccination against Hib diseases has been part of the National Immunisation Programme since 1993. Children receive four vaccinations against Hib before their first birthday.

Annually, RIVM publishes an overview of surveillance data and scientific developments of the 13 infectious diseases against which the Dutch National Immunisation Programme (RVP in Dutch) vaccinates. The report on Surveillance and Developments also contains information about infectious diseases that are not (yet) included in the National Immunisation Programme, but for which a vaccine is available, such as chickenpox and shingles.