Apart from the National Immunisation Programme (Rijksvaccinatieprogramma or RVP), other vaccinations are also available to protect your child against infectious diseases. These vaccinations are often recommended to travellers or people who have a greater risk of consequences if they catch these diseases. But they can also offer additional protection to children in the Netherlands. These vaccinations are not free; you need to pay for them.

These are some other infectious diseases that children can be vaccinated against:

The DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, Hib disease and Hepatitis B. Children receive the vaccination at 3 months, 5 months and 12 months.

The DTaP vaccination protects against diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and tetanus. Children receive the injection from the age of 5 years. This is a repeat vaccination against these diseases. Before that, children received the DTaP-IPV - HBV vaccination at 3 months, 5 months and 12 months old. At the age of 14 years, children are given a repeat vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DT-IPV).

The DT-IPV vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Children get the vaccination in the year they turn 14. This is a repeat vaccination against these diseases. The first vaccinations were given before the child’s first birthday. Children received a repeat vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) from the age of 5.

The MMR vaccination protects against mumps, measles and rubella. Children receive the MMR vaccination at 14 months, and a repeat vaccination around 3 years. It is possible to get the MMR vaccination sooner, for example if you are planning to travel outside the Netherlands.

When you are vaccinated, you receive an injection containing a weakened form or small parts of viruses or bacteria. This makes it possible for your body to build up immunity. It allows your body to recognise the real viruses and bacteria, and to make the appropriate antibodies to fight them off. As a result, they will make you less ill, and may keep you from getting any symptoms at all.

Er wordt veel onderzoek gedaan naar de effecten van vaccinaties. Op deze pagina lees je meer over de verschillende soorten onderzoek die er naar bijwerkingen worden gedaan.

In vaccins zitten verschillende stoffen. Over een aantal van die stoffen worden vaker vragen gesteld dan over andere stoffen. Lees op deze pagina over onderzoek naar aluminium, formaldehyde, cellijnen en kwik (thiomersal) in vaccins.

Vaccins worden uitgebreid onderzocht en getest voordat ze aan mensen worden gegeven. Ook als een vaccin in gebruik is genomen, worden deze onderzoeken nog steeds uitgevoerd. Een overzicht van het uitgevoerde onderzoek vind je hieronder.