In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) is responsible for the National Immunisation Programme. The Minister decides which vaccinations are offered to children. The decision is based on advisory decisions provided by the Health Council of the Netherlands. The pharmaceutical companies make the vaccines, but they do not decide which diseases are targeted by the vaccinations in the National Immunisation Programme. They do not have any influence on the Minister’s decision.

Registering vaccines

A vaccine is considered a medicinal product. That means that its safety must first be assessed by the Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Before approval, the pharmaceutical company that makes the vaccine has to prove that the vaccine is effective and safe. A vaccine cannot be used until after it has been approved by the EMA or the CBG-MEB.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to organise the National Immunisation Programme. RIVM purchases vaccines for the National Immunisation Programme through a European tender. In this public procurement procedure, RIVM describes the conditions that the vaccine must meet.

The vaccinations are given by the doctor and nurse at the well-baby clinics operated by the Centres for Youth and Family (CJG) and the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs). If you receive an invitation for your child to be vaccinated, the invitation states the name and address of where the vaccination will be given. RIVM keeps records of all vaccinations, in part to monitor how many children in the Netherlands are vaccinated. This is important so we know how well people in the Netherlands are protected against infectious diseases.