Monitoring Influenza Vaccine coverage in the Netherlands Through a Network of General Practices

Abstract Background Since 1997, the Dutch National Influenza Prevention Programme has aimed to protect older adults and medically vulnerable individuals. Reliable annual estimates of influenza vaccine coverage are essential for evaluating public health outreach and improving uptake in target groups. This study describes the Dutch monitoring system, which uses routine health data from a network of general practices to estimate vaccine coverage, offering a scalable and low-burden model. Methods Vaccine coverage is estimated using anonymized data from Nivel Primary Care Database (Nivel-PCD), which includes approximately 500 general practices across the Netherlands, representing about 10% of the population. Data on vaccinations and target group eligibility (based on age and medical conditions) are extracted annually. Only practices with <10% discrepancy between recorded vaccinations and reimbursement claims are included. Results Data from 246 practices and 1,072,177 individuals (6% of the Dutch population) were included in 2023. The system provides annual, validated coverage estimates for key risk groups. While precise coverage percentages vary yearly, the method ensures consistent, representative, and timely insights into vaccination uptake at the national level. The automated nature of data extraction minimizes burden for general practitioners. Conclusions The Dutch system demonstrates a scalable model for monitoring influenza vaccine coverage using routine health data. This method can be applied in other countries, particularly where centralized health records or pharmacy-based systems exist. Key messages • Routine health data from general practice networks can be used to monitor national vaccine coverage. • The Dutch model provides reliable insights with minimal burden on healthcare providers.