Vaccination needs a tailored approach: different approaches are needed for different groups and situations. Working in collaboration with the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) and the Youth Healthcare Organizations (JGZ), SocioVax brings together practical experience and scientific research. We are investigating the concerns and needs of people from various groups and in various situations, as well as testing new interventions. These studies help us gain a better understanding of what works for which people and when.
The results of our joint effects will be shared on this page shortly.
Funding awarded to regional projects on ‘target groups and vaccination’
In September 2025, RIVM issued a call for projects that led to providing funding from the SocioVax research programme to Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) and Youth Healthcare Services (JGZ) organisations for four research projects on the theme of ‘vaccination and target groups within National Immunisation Programme’. By providing research funding, SocioVax aims to investigate what could help increase vaccination coverage among target groups where vaccination coverage is low and/or declining.
The review committee consisted of RIVM staffers, a representative from the Regional Regional Consultant Physicians (RACs) and key people from the SocioVax advisory council. Twelve proposals that were submitted were reviewed by the committee, and four regional projects were selected. The selected regional projects were submitted by GGD Zuid-Holland Zuid, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, the municipality of Utrecht, and a joint effort by GGD IJsselland and GGD Twente. The projects were officially launched at the end of January 2026. SocioVax will advise and support the projects throughout the process. The project proposals that were awarded funding are summarised below.
Regional project 1: TIJDs-Vac, GGD IJsselland and GGD Twente
In the TIJDs-Vac project, the researchers will be working with young people aged 16–18 years from Protestant Christian communities in Twente and IJsselland to investigate which factors influence their choices about vaccination. Based on these insights, the young people and researchers will jointly develop an intervention aligned with their social environment and information needs, by means of participatory action study. The project focuses on municipalities with low vaccination coverage and is based on participation and open dialogue. The results offer valuable guidance for municipalities and GGDs to more effectively reach young people from this target group and to support them in their vaccination decision.
Regional project 2: VacciChat, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond
The VacciChat project will develop and evaluate an AI chat bot that provides reliable information about childhood vaccinations, working closely with parents from a low socio-economic position or migration background in Rotterdam. In co-creation with the target group, the chat bot will be tested, adapted and made available in multiple languages, so that these parents have an easily accessible and appropriate way to find answers to their questions and doubts. The effectiveness of VacciChat will be researched within the neighbourhood-based approach of GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond and the Local Youth and Family Centres (CJG), with the aim of increasing confidence in vaccinations. The results offer new guidance for municipalities, GGDs and other organisations to more effectively reach hesitant parents and to support them in their vaccination decision.
Regional project 3: SMINT, Municipality of Utrecht
The SMINT project focuses on identifying and countering misinformation about vaccination within the Moroccan community in Utrecht. Focus groups were used to research what incorrect stories are circulating on social media and how these stories influence people’s thoughts about vaccination. The insights will be put into direct practice in public information meetings, in which local residents will be trained to identifying misleading information online. In doing so, the project contributes to increasing knowledge about and confidence in vaccinations and offers practical guidance for municipalities and GGDs to respond effectively to misinformation.
Regional project 4: SCHOOLVAX: Working with schools on willingness to vaccinate, GGD Zuid-Holland Zuid
The SCHOOLVAX project is working with primary and secondary schools in Zuid-Holland Zuid and Rotterdam-Rijnmond to investigate the role that schools are able and willing to play in promoting willingness to vaccinate. Surveys and focus groups are used to map out the factors that determine how willing schools are to e.g. give information, offer lesson programmes, or provide locations for vaccinations. The perspectives of key stakeholders – such as parents and youth healthcare services – will also be incorporated. The results offer tangible points of departure for partnerships between schools and public health services, and contribute to the development of effective interventions to increase willingness to vaccinate among young people and parents. GGD Zuid-Holland Zuid is working on this project in collaboration with GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Jong JGZ and the Netherlands Institute for Biology (NIBI).