Jorik
Jorik (nurse)
Jorik did an internship at the vaccination center at the beginning of 2025. After that, he stayed on and now mainly works at the locations in Utrecht and Wageningen.
In his free time, Jorik spends a lot of time making music. At the beginning of 2026, Jorik traveled to Iceland and really enjoyed it. Long-distance tropical trips have not worked out for Jorik yet, but they are definitely on the planning list.
Birgit
Birgit (nurse).
Birgit started at vaccinatiecentrum.nl in 2024 as an intern and joined the team as a registered nurse in 2025. She is currently pursuing advanced training to become a travel nurse, which she hopes to complete in February 2026.
As a child, Birgit went camping and travelled with her family through many European countries, often complaining about the long hikes she had to do. As an adult, she set off travelling with a backpack. She prefers the colder parts of the world, such as Scotland and Scandinavia. And yes, hiking in nature has now become one of her favourite activities.
Chikungunya
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes are mainly active during the day. The disease occurs in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and some islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 3 to 7 days after infection. The most common complaints are: high (sudden) fever, severe muscle and joint pain—especially in the hands and feet—headache, fatigue, and skin rash. Between 72% and 97% of those infected develop symptoms. Most symptoms disappear within 1 to 3 weeks, but about half of patients may experience rheumatic-like symptoms for months or even years. Although the disease is rarely fatal, symptoms tend to be more severe in the elderly and in people with weakened immune systems.
Transmission and spread
Chikungunya is not transmitted from person to person, but through mosquito bites. A mosquito becomes infected by biting an infected person and can then transmit the virus to others. Chikungunya is primarily spread during large local outbreaks, during which up to 75% of the local population can become ill.
Prevention: what can you do when traveling?
Since 2025, a new chikungunya vaccine has been available in the Netherlands. This is the first approved vaccine worldwide for the prevention of chikungunya. The vaccine consists of a single dose of a live attenuated chikungunya virus, providing protection for at least 2 years. It is preferably administered 2 weeks before entering a risk area. Possible side effects usually appear 3–4 days later and include chikungunya-like symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, fever, fatigue, and skin rash. These symptoms typically resolve within 4 days.
In addition to vaccination, good mosquito protection measures are important when traveling to risk areas. These include wearing protective clothing, applying insect repellent such as DEET, and sleeping under a (impregnated) mosquito net. Based on your travel plans and health, we are happy to provide you with personalized advice.
Can the chikungunya vaccine always be administered?
The chikungunya vaccine is only recommended for travel to countries experiencing an outbreak. Due to the high infection rate during outbreaks, this vaccination advice applies regardless of the duration of your trip. You can check if an outbreak is occurring in a particular country on the country pages of our website.
Unfortunately, the vaccine is not suitable for everyone. It may only be given to individuals between the ages of 12 and 64. Immune system disorders or the use of certain medications may also be reasons why the vaccine should not be administered.
Questions or want to make an appointment?
Do you have questions or would you like to make an appointment for personal (travel) advice? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl, or call 085-9020303.
Irma
Irma (registered travel nurse).
Irma (registered travel nurse) was born and raised in Java, Indonesia. She has been working as a travel health advisor since October 2017. After a 1.5-year break, she resumed her work as a travel health advisor in 2025 at the vaccinatiecentrum. Irma has visited countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia.
Mumps, Measles, Rubella (B.M.R./M.M.R)
Mumps
What is mumps?
Mumps is caused by a virus. A characteristic feature of mumps is a swelling of the cheek, this is because the salivary gland of the cheek is inflamed. Often, infection with mumps proceeds without symptoms. In some cases, a person may become very ill. In rare cases a person may develop encephalitis or meningitis, this happens mainly with young children. Other possible complications include permanent (unilateral) deafness, inflammation of the genital organs, inflammation of the pancreas and rheumatism.
How do you get mumps?
The mumps virus is present in the nose and throat of an infected person and spreads through airborne droplets by, for example, exhaling, coughing or sneezing. An infected person is contagious several days before the first symptoms appear.
Measles
What is measles?
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in existence and is caused by a virus. The disease starts with symptoms such as fever, cough, rhinitis and eye inflammation. White spots may appear in the mouth. After two to four days, red spots appear and can spread all over the body. The virus can cause diarrhoea, middle ear infection and, in severe cases, encephalitis, pneumonia or convulsions.
How do you get measles?
The measles virus spreads through airborne droplets by, for example, exhaling, coughing or sneezing. An infected person can transmit the virus as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Rubella
What is rubella?
Rubella is caused by a virus. The disease often starts with general symptoms of illness such as fever, fatigue and rhinitis. About half of people develop a skin rash, often on the face, behind the ears and on the neck. In some cases, the disease can cause encephalitis, platelet deficiency or arthritis.
When a pregnant woman gets rubella, it can result in miscarriage or very serious birth defects in the baby.
How do you get rubella?
Rubella virus spreads through airborne droplets by, for example, exhaling, coughing or sneezing. An infected person is contagious a week before the first symptoms appear.
What can you do to prevent mumps, measles and rubella?
Adults born before 1965 are very likely to have had measles, anyone born in the Netherlands after 1975 has been offered the vaccination through the National Vaccination Programme. Those born between 1965 and 1975 may not have gone through measles and may not have been vaccinated, which makes this group vulnerable to measles. If someone is not sure whether they have been vaccinated or have had the disease, the advice is to get this vaccination. In this case, a blood test can also be done first.
Between 1974 and 1987, rubella vaccination was offered to girls in the Netherlands through the National Vaccination Programme. Since 1987, this vaccination has been offered to all children in the Netherlands. Since 1987, mumps vaccination has also been included in the National Vaccination Programme. Based on your destination and health, we will be happy to give you personalised advice.
What protection does the BMR (M.M.R.) vaccination offer?
Nowadays, all children in the Netherlands are vaccinated against mumps, measles and rubella (BMR/M.M.R. vaccination). In the Netherlands, children are vaccinated against this at the ages of 14 months and 9 years; for adults, the vaccination consists of one dose. The BMR (M.M.R.) vaccination provides lifelong protection.
How much will a BMR (M.M.R.) vaccination cost?
BMR (M.M.R.) vaccinations have been offered free of charge to all children in the Netherlands through the National Vaccination Programme since 1987. At a later age, you have to pay for the vaccination yourself. If you have supplementary health insurance, a BMR (M.M.R.) vaccination is reimbursed by your health insurance in most cases. For more information, please visit our prices page.
Any questions or want to book an appointment?
After the BMR (M.M.R.) vaccination, it takes three to four weeks for most people (95%) to build up sufficient protection. Keep that in mind if you get the vaccination before your trip (whether or not to a high-risk area).
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal travel consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Dengue Fever
What is dengue?
Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is caused by the dengue virus. The first symptoms appear within three to 14 days of infection. Generally, a dengue infection progresses without symptoms. When someone does develop symptoms, they are often flu-like symptoms, such as sudden spikes in fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and coughing. These symptoms disappear on their own after a few days to a week. In a small percentage of cases, serious complications develop. The severe form of dengue is also called dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Symptoms associated with it are dot-shaped, dark red spots on the skin (after two to five days) and bleeding of the gums, heart, nose, liver and intestines. If a person loses too much blood because of this, it can lead to shock (dengue shock syndrome) and eventually death.
How do you get dengue and in which countries is it common?
The dengue virus transmits through the bite of (Aedes) mosquitoes. The main types that can carry the virus are the yellow fever mosquito and the Asian tiger mosquito. The mosquitoes that transmit the virus are mainly active during the day. The dengue virus is primarily found in the (sub)tropics. This includes Africa, Southeast Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
What can you do to prevent dengue?
You can be vaccinated against dengue. This is advised for travelers who have previously had a dengue infection because they have a greater risk of a more serious course of the infection in the event of a re-infection. People not previously infected with dengue may also be vaccinated. It is important that dose 1 and 2 are given before departure. There should be at least 3 months between these two doses. People who have previously had a dengue infection may also receive the second dose after their trip. Besides or in addition to vaccination, good anti-mosquito measures are important if you are going to travel in risk areas. These include wearing clothing that covers you, applying a mosquito repellent such as DEET and sleeping under an (impregnated) mosquito net. Based on your travel plans, we will be happy to give you personal advice.
What are the side effects of the dengue vaccine?
The dengue vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and therefore has more side effects than other vaccines. After vaccination, local reactions (pain, redness), headache, myalgia, fatigue, malaise and fever may occur. These side effects last 1 to 3 days. After 7 to 14 days, mild symptoms similar to dengue virus infection, such as headache, joint pain and skin rash, may appear. These side effects are more common in individuals who have not previously been infected with dengue than in individuals who have previously been infected with dengue. After the second dose, there are far fewer side effects than with the first dose.
How long does the dengue vaccine protect?
The vaccination consists of two doses. There should be at least 3 months between these two doses. The duration of protection after these two doses is not yet known. Research that has not yet been published shows that antibodies decrease in the blood after 4-5 years.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation?
Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.