Care and support for refugees from Ukraine

Yes, children from Ukraine can be vaccinated against diseases such as polio, measles and rubella under the Netherlands’ national immunisation programme. The programme covers all children in the Netherlands. 

Refugees from Ukraine who are higher risk of becoming very sick from the flu can also get a free flu jab during flu season. 

To make an appointment call the municipal health service (GGD) in your region.

See more about the reception of refugees from Ukraine and infectious diseases. 

Children from Ukraine can be vaccinated against diseases such as polio, measles and rubella under the Netherlands’ national immunisation programme. They do not need an appointment to get these vaccines. Parents or guardians will receive a letter inviting them to get their child vaccinated.

People who were vaccinated in Ukraine can show their proof of vaccination to get a Digital COVID Certificate (DCC). A DCC is sometimes required to travel abroad. To make an appointment with the municipal health service (GGD) to receive a DCC, call +31 (0)30 800 2899. You can do this at GGD locations in Utrecht, Groningen, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. See also getting proof of vaccination after being vaccinated outside the Netherlands (in English, Dutch and Russian). 

In general, without formal proof of vaccination from another country it is not possible to get Dutch proof of vaccination. Exceptions are sometimes made, however, for refugees from Ukraine. For example, if they have a photo of their proof of vaccination or an email confirming they have been vaccinated. Anyone who cannot prove that they have been vaccinated can decide, in consultation with a doctor, whether to get vaccinated again.

People who need help dealing with psychosocial problems and trauma should first contact a general practitioner. The doctor can refer them to a psychologist, for instance, for more specialised care. 

Refugees from Ukraine will soon be able to get psychosocial support in their own language from Ukrainian psychologists in the Netherlands. Empatia helps Ukrainians with mental health issues find a Ukrainian psychologist. For more information, see the Empatia website. Empatia is a partnership between: 

• VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (Dutch Council for Refugees) 
• OPORA Foundation, and 
• PsyGlobal. 

Municipalities and health professionals can contact LOOP (Loket Ontheemden Oekraïne PSH), the helpdesk for psychosocial support for displaced persons from Ukraine, for more information.

You should make an appointment with a vet as soon as possible to confirm that your pet is not infected with rabies. Rabies is more common in Ukraine than in any other country in Europe. Rabies is a deadly disease for people and animals. If you have brought a cat or dog with you from Ukraine, it’s important that you take your pet to a vet as soon as possible. The vet will give your pet a vaccination, a microchip and a pet passport. 

You can do a number of things:

• Try to keep the animals away from other animals and people.
• Assign people with pets to a separate room or space.
• Make sure that owners walk their dogs on a leash, at a place and time that there are few other people and dogs around. The dog should preferably wear a muzzle, if it is accustomed to wearing one.
• Avoid physical contact with the animal until a blood test taken after the rabies vaccination shows the vaccine is working.

For more information about what to do in the case of animals with rabies, go to the NVWA website (in Dutch).