Since 2015 the amount of infections by the Meningococcal bacteria type W is rising in the Netherlands.
Therefore, since April 2018, Dutch government is providing the Meningitis ACWY vaccine instead of the Meninigitis C vaccine only, to all children age 14 months and between 14 and 18 years old. If you are not registered to a Dutch municipality your child will NOT receive an invitation from the Dutch health authorities. You can book an appointment with one of our vaccination doctors to arrange this immunization.
You can download the government information brochure about the updated meningitis advice here
IHCH has recently sent e-mails to all registered patients (with a known e-mail address) born between 2001 and 2005, If you have not received our message, you can read it here.
If you are not registered as an IHCH patient you can also book an appointment, please fill our our registration form, then choose "travel/vaccination only" if you want to stay registered with your own Family Doctor. Demand is high, IHCH registered patients have priority.
Read more about meningitis in the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
- Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges, which is the lining around the brain and spinal cord, caused mainly by germs (bacteria or viruses) entering the body
- Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs that can cause meningitis
- Meningitis and septicaemia are illnesses that can kill in hours
- Anyone, anywhere of any age can get meningitis and septicaemia, although some people are at higher risk than others
The current concern is about bacterial Meningitis type W, caused by the Neisseria meningitidis type W (meningococcus)
In the Netherlands, all children born after March 2017 are now vaccinated against Meningitis types A,C,W and Y. Older children are vaccinated against type C only.
The age groups most at risk are babies and adolescents of age 14-18, though anyone can get Meningitis.
By vaccinating babies and adolescents we hope to eradicate the most important infectious sources, so less bacteria can spread in society. Thus, by vaccinating these age groups, other children and adults will be protected from catching the disease.
If your child is not invited by the consultatiebureau, he/she does not meet the age criteria. You or your child can get the vaccine, but you will have to arrange this privately.
IHCH has sent out an invitation e-mail to all 14-18 year old registered patients, but does not have all e-mail addresses, if you have not received this message you can read it here
- children below age 5
- teenagers and young adults
- age > 55
- travelers to countries with a high prevalence of Meningitis
- people without spleen (due to operation/accident)
- people who have been in contact with a proven infected patient
Yes, it is possible add immunity against Meningitis type W. Since there is no separate Meningitis W vaccine, your child can get the ACWY vaccine.
Though your child will then receive Meningitis C vaccine again, which is medically seen not necessary, this is no health risk.
The amount of infections with type W in the Netherlands has sharply risen to 90 cases per year since 2015. The disease has a high mortality rate and can develop very quickly.
Infections with meningitis type C have almost completely disappeared due to a high vaccination rate in the Dutch population, with the new recommendations we aim for the same result with Meningitis W.
The other most common cause of meningococcal infections in the Netherlands is Meningitis B. This vaccine is not offered by Dutch government , but IHCH can provide this.
The other most common types are A and Y, not prevalent in the Netherlands.
Yes, you can. The IHCH is a fully licensed vaccination clinic, open to all patients. You will have to fill out our registration form first and choose "for travel/vaccinations only" when registering, if you want to stay registered with your own GP/family doctor.
Patients who are already registered with the Primary care/Gp department can just call the clinic and have priority, demand for the vaccine is very high at the moment.
The Meningitis ACWY vaccine costs € 70,76
You will be charged a consultation fee depending on your insurance plan and time needed. We charge a 20 minute/long consultation (including administration of the vaccine).
Reimbursement idepends on your individual insurance plan, please enquire with your insurance company.
You can book an appointment with our vaccination specialist. He/she will assess if vaccinations are needed, if yes, they can be immediately arranged after the consultation. This service is also open to non-registered patients.