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Vaccination rate in Amsterdam stable, but concerns remain for babies and young children

Vaccination rate in Amsterdam stable, but concerns remain for babies and young children

Vaccination rates for school-aged children in Amsterdam remain stable and higher than in other major Dutch cities, though concerns persist as coverage for babies and toddlers continues to decline. Alderman Alexander Scholtes is focusing on targeted community outreach and improved information campaigns to address parental hesitancy and boost immunization among the youngest age groups.

Vaccination rates among school-aged children and teenagers in Amsterdam have remained stable for the second consecutive year, positioning the city ten percentage points ahead of Rotterdam and The Hague. Despite this relative success, Alderman Alexander Scholtes has expressed concern regarding a recent decline in vaccination coverage among babies and very young children. While there was a slight uptick in overall vaccinations earlier in 2025, the city still falls below the safety thresholds recommended by the World Health Organization.

Local authorities report that the decrease in infant vaccinations is linked to growing hesitancy and changing perspectives among younger parents compared to previous generations. In response, the municipal health service, GGD, is intensifying its efforts to improve outreach and provide clearer information to families. Alderman Scholtes emphasized that the city will continue to prioritize localized vaccination initiatives and partnerships with trusted community figures to address these gaps in public health coverage and ensure that young children receive necessary medical protection.

Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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