Every year in early autumn, the new flu vaccine becomes available. If you are over 60 or have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu, your GP will invite you to get vaccinated against the flu free of charge. If you are not part of this target group but still wish to get a flu vaccination, you can do so at vaccinatiecentrum.nl.
What is influenza (the flu)?
Influenza, better known as the flu, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses. The flu is a respiratory infection that can cause symptoms such as:
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Headache
- Cold sweats
- Fever
- Fatigue
Symptoms usually start suddenly. A fever often develops within a few hours and is accompanied by one or more of the symptoms mentioned above. Severe symptoms often last for three to five days, but it can take one to three weeks for the symptoms to disappear completely.
How do you catch the flu?
Flu viruses spread through droplets of saliva and mucus, which become airborne when infected people talk, cough or sneeze. A person who inhales these droplets can become infected. Less often, a person can become infected by shaking hands with someone who has the flu or by touching a surface contaminated with influenza viruses. Symptoms usually appear three to four days after infection.
There are many different strains of the flu virus that mutate frequently, which is why a new flu vaccine becomes available every year.
How can you prevent the flu?
You can protect yourself against the flu by getting vaccinated at the start of the flu season. If you are at risk of developing a severe case of the flu, you can get the flu vaccine free of charge through your GP. It is also recommended that healthcare workers get the flu vaccine to help protect vulnerable people around them. Your employer will usually offer you the opportunity to get vaccinated. You can still choose to get the flu vaccine even if you do not work in healthcare or belong to the target group. You can do so at your own expense through vaccinatiecentrum.nl.
How does the flu vaccine work?
The flu vaccine contains inactivated virus particles from several influenza viruses. These particles are harmless and cannot cause the flu. They stimulate your body to produce antibodies, which develop within about two weeks of vaccination. If you become infected with an influenza virus after this period, these antibodies help prevent you from becoming ill or reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Still unsure? Frequently asked questions
Deciding whether or not to get the flu vaccine can be difficult. Even if you have been vaccinated, you can still get the flu. However, the flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40% and can make the illness less severe. Getting vaccinated therefore significantly increases your chances of staying healthy throughout the flu season.
Flu vaccination during pregnancy
If you are at least 22 weeks pregnant between 15 October and 1 March, you are eligible for a free flu vaccine from your GP. It is, however, safe to get the flu vaccine during any stage of pregnancy. The flu vaccine helps protect you and your baby by reducing the risk of serious complications during pregnancy. It also helps protect your baby after birth: babies whose mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy have a lower risk of becoming seriously ill during the first few months after birth.
It is safe to breastfeed if you received the flu vaccine during pregnancy or if you get the vaccine while breastfeeding.
If you are not part of the target group or are not eligible for a free flu vaccine from your GP for another reason, you can still choose to get the flu vaccine at vaccinatiecentrum.nl.
Combining the flu vaccine with other vaccinations
The flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is administered by the GGD, while you can get the flu vaccine from your GP or at vaccinatiecentrum.nl. This means you may need to make two appointments at two different locations. It is fine if these appointments are close together or even on the same day.
Are you getting your flu vaccine at vaccinatiecentrum.nl? We can administer the flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine during the same appointment. The pneumococcal vaccine is not routinely available at every location. Please contact us by phone or email before your appointment to check availability.
How much does the flu vaccine cost?
If you are at increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu, you will receive an invitation to get a free flu vaccine from your GP. If you are not part of this target group, you will usually have to pay for the flu vaccine yourself. Please visit our pricing page for the most up-to-date information on costs.
Looking to get a flu vaccine?
Would you like to get vaccinated against the flu, but haven’t received an invitation from your GP or employer? At vaccinatiecentrum.nl, you can get a flu vaccine on your own initiative.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. However, you will need to pay for the flu vaccine yourself. In some cases, your supplementary health insurance may cover the cost of the flu vaccine.
Like any vaccine, the flu vaccine can cause side effects. Your arm may be sore for up to two days after the vaccination. The injection site may become red, swollen or painful. You may also feel slightly unwell for a few days and experience symptoms such as a headache or muscle aches.
The flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40%. You can still get the flu, but you will usually experience a less severe illness. Your risk of being hospitalized with severe flu symptoms is also 40% lower.
You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, but you will need to visit different locations. You can get the flu vaccine from your GP, the doctor at your institution or at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, while you will need to visit the GGD for the COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccinations can be given on the same day.
You can get the pneumococcal vaccine, shingles vaccine and flu vaccine at vaccinatiecentrum.nl, and these can all be administered during the same appointment. The pneumococcal vaccine is not routinely available at every location. Please contact us by phone or email before your appointment to check availability.
The best time to get the flu vaccine is before the flu season begins. This is why the vaccine is offered in October and November.
Yes, the flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn babies. If you are 22 weeks pregnant or more during the flu season, you can get the flu vaccine free of charge through your GP. If you are not part of this target group, you can still choose to get the vaccine at your own expense.
Getting the flu vaccine not only protects you, but also your baby. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine during pregnancy can cross the placenta and reach your baby, helping to protect your baby from the flu after birth.