Declining Childhood Vaccination Rates in the Netherlands: Insights from Recent Study on Socioeconomic Influences

The Netherlands has a longstanding history of a comprehensive immunization program, initiated in 1957 to combat serious infectious diseases among children. While this initiative has significantly reduced child mortality, recent data indicate a worrisome decline in vaccination coverage rates. The decline is particularly notable for vaccines like DTaP-IPV (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, inactivated poliovirus) and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). Though initial coverage was high—about 95% for MMR and DTaP-IPV among children born between 2008 and 2010—the rates have steadily decreased, with coverage in 2020 dropping to around 88-89%.

A comprehensive retrospective cohort study published in Eurosurveillance analyzed data from over 2.3 million children born between 2008 and 2020, revealing that by age two, approximately 94% had received the MMR vaccine and 93% the DTaP-IPV vaccine. Most children (97%) had consistent vaccination status for both vaccines.

This downward trend aligns with broader European patterns, where the first dose of the measles vaccine coverage declined from 95% in 2018 to 92% in 2022 across the EU/EEA. Contributing factors include growing distrust in health authorities, the spread of misinformation through social media, and increased vaccine hesitancy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Netherlands, trust in government institutions was found to be lower than before the pandemic, correlating with decreased COVID-19 vaccine uptake and more negative perceptions of childhood vaccinations.

The study highlighted significant disparities in vaccination rates among specific groups. Children from non-Dutch backgrounds, including Moroccan, Turkish, Dutch-Caribbean, and Surinamese communities, showed notably lower coverage. Children not attending daycare, those from larger families—particularly within Orthodox Protestant communities—and families with lower income levels also experienced decreased vaccination rates. These groups face unique barriers such as difficulties understanding vaccination information, limited access to vaccination facilities, and cultural hesitancies.

Socioeconomic factors play a major role; lower parental education and income are consistently associated with reduced vaccine uptake. In high-income countries like the Netherlands, social disparities are often rooted in trust issues, perceived risks, and cultural beliefs rather than financial barriers.

The study underscores the critical need for targeted strategies to address these disparities. Improving communication, rebuilding trust in health systems, and ensuring easy access to vaccination services are essential steps. Furthermore, understanding and intervening within social networks where unvaccinated and non-immune individuals cluster could help prevent localized outbreaks.

Overall, these findings emphasize that reversing the decline in childhood vaccinations requires concerted efforts to combat misinformation, bridge socioeconomic gaps, and foster confidence in immunization programs to protect all children effectively.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-childhood-vaccination-coverage-dutch-trends.html