In the Netherlands, children receive vaccinations against thirteen infectious diseases that can be severe. This is done through the National Vaccination Program. The vast majority of children participate in the National Vaccination Program from birth. 

A high vaccination rate is important to continue protecting people against serious diseases. With a declining vaccination rate, outbreaks of these diseases occur more frequently. In 2024, there were notably many cases of whooping cough, measles, and mumps. 

HPV human papillomavirus (human papillomavirus) vaccination

The vaccination rate for HPV (the virus that causes cervical cancer among other things) has clearly increased. There is also a smaller difference in vaccination rates between boys and girls than last year. The HPV catch-up campaigns may have had a positive effect on this. These campaigns were organized between 2022 and 2024 to invite young people up to 26 years old who were not yet (fully) vaccinated to get an HPV vaccination. 

Where is the vaccination rate declining?

The RIVM is researching changes in the vaccination rate with the aim of increasing it and thereby reducing health disparities. Looking at the type of primary school, the vaccination rate has declined significantly in recent years at Islamic schools. For a long time, it has been relatively low at orthodox Protestant and anthroposophical schools. Furthermore, the vaccination rate has declined the most among Dutch children of Moroccan or Turkish descent, children who do not attend childcare, and children from large families (4 or more children). Together with the youth health care (JGZ) and the Ministry of VWS Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport), the RIVM is making extra efforts in neighborhoods and specific groups where relatively few people get vaccinated.

Partially anonymous data

The exact vaccination rates for the various vaccinations can no longer be provided by the RIVM. Since January 1, 2022, the RIVM receives part of the vaccinations anonymously. This is because parents and/or young people do not always give permission to the JGZ Youth Health Care (Youth Health Care) to share vaccination data with personal data with the RIVM. The anonymous vaccinations cannot be counted towards the vaccination rate. The information needed for this, such as the year of birth, is not known. The RIVM takes the anonymous vaccinations into account as best as possible to determine the actual vaccination rate.

For the vaccination rate per infectious disease, we refer to the report Vaccination Rates National Vaccination Program Netherlands – reporting year 2025.

More information on social scientific research into vaccination can be found at SocioVax: social scientific research into vaccination.