Gouda sounds alarm over plummeting childhood vaccination rates
Gouda's vaccination rates for children have dropped below WHO safety thresholds, raising fears of disease outbreaks. Parents face critical choices as misinformation grows, while local authorities launch targeted campaigns to restore trust and accessibility.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Vaccination rate (2025) | 82.4% (down from 88% in 2022) |
| Unvaccinated infants (2025) | 11.5% (vs. 6.7% national average) |
| WHO herd immunity threshold | ~95% (measles), ~92% (whooping cough) |
| Regional unvaccinated rate | 7.5% (Holland Rijnland) |
| Action plan focus | Neighborhood outreach, professional collaboration, misinformation combat |
| Low-threshold options | Consultation offices, midwives |
The Municipality of Gouda oversees public health initiatives, including vaccination programs, under the National Immunisation Programme. It collaborates with regional health services (GGD) to monitor coverage and implement local strategies to protect community health.
Read the full translated article below
Concerning decline in vaccination rates in Gouda
The Municipality of Gouda is concerned about the declining vaccination rates among children and is calling for joint action. Recent figures show that fewer children are being fully vaccinated, while the number of unvaccinated infants is increasing. This raises the risk of outbreaks of contagious diseases such as measles and whooping cough.
The vaccination rate in Gouda has now fallen below the thresholds set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for herd immunity. For example, the percentage of fully vaccinated infants dropped from 88% in 2022 to 82.4% in 2025. At the same time, the share of infants with no vaccinations at all rose to 11.5% in 2025. Nationally, this figure stands at 6.7%, and regionally (Holland Rijnland) at 7.5%.
Deputy Mayor Anna van Popering-Kalkman (Public Health) describes this trend as worrying. “Vaccination protects not only individual children but also vulnerable groups in our society. We see that trust is under pressure and misinformation is on the rise. This calls for a targeted and local approach,” said the Gouda alderwoman.
Action plan: close to residents and professionals
In collaboration with Hecht GGD Holland Rijnland, the municipality has developed a local action plan. This plan focuses on three pillars:
- Neighbourhood-based approach: better alignment with residents' lifestyles, using key figures and targeted communication for each target group.
- Professionals in action: closer collaboration with youth healthcare, general practitioners, midwives and other partners to make vaccination a topic of discussion and lower barriers.
- Better information provision: proactive approach to misinformation and strengthening reliable communication, both online and offline.
The plan also includes low-threshold vaccination options, for example through consultation offices and possibly via midwives.
Voluntary, but not optional
Vaccination remains a voluntary choice in the Netherlands. The municipality stresses the importance of good and accessible information so that parents can make an informed decision. Van Popering-Kalkman: “We want to support residents with clear, reliable information and engage in dialogue where doubts exist. A voluntary choice in this case is not a free choice; parents who do not vaccinate their children increase the risk of infection for other children.”
Working together for a healthy future
The municipality is calling on residents, healthcare professionals and social organisations to work together to increase vaccination rates. Only through a joint effort can the health of all residents be protected. For more information about the National Immunisation Programme, residents can visit the Youth and Family Centre Gouda.