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. Adults and children 5 and older can also be vaccinated against COVID-19. These vaccines are free for everyone in the Netherlands, including refugees from Ukraine.

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. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Refugees from Ukraine can get vaccinated against COVID-19 for free at any municipal health service (GGD) vaccination centre. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, call +31 (0)800 7070. Many GGD locations also offer COVID-19 vaccines without an appointment. Check online to find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment. 

Other 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 family doctor. 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.

Children can go to child health services (jeugdgezondheidszorg, JGZ), which falls under the municipal health service (GGD) in their region.