Het Rijksvaccinatieprogramma nu en in de toekomst: ontwikkelingen in 2005

The National Immunisation Programme in the Netherlands is effective and safe. The target diseases are largely under control. However, in 2004/2005 a rubella outbreak occurred among individuals who had declined vaccination on religious grounds. Furthermore, there have been incidents of mumps (among vaccinated individuals) and measles (among unvaccinated individuals) in 2004 and 2005. In January 2005 the diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae vaccine was replaced by a combination vaccine including an acellular pertussis component and subsequently a decrease in adverse events was noticed. From January 2006 onwards, children of hepatitis B antigen-positive mothers will receive an extra vaccination at birth. The National Immunisation Programme could be extended with new target diseases. In April 2006, pneumococcal vaccination for infants will be introduced and to evaluate the effects of vaccination it is desired to enhance the surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease. The desirability to introduce vaccinations for chickenpox, shingles, human papillomavirus and rotavirus must be considered on the short-term, because of the availability of vaccines for these diseases. To gain insight into the health and economic effects of these vaccinations, cost-effectiveness studies are advised. Due to various reasons, extension of the programme with vaccinations against influenza, hepatitis A, meningococcal serogroup B, respiratory synctial virus and tuberculosis is not yet recommended. Monitoring the effectiveness of the National Immunisation Programme remains important. Maintaining high vaccine uptake is vital to prevent (re)emergence of disease