[ad_1]
Rotavirus vaccination is added to the national immunization program. Only physically vulnerable young children are vaccinated with drops in the mouth as early as six weeks of age. This concerns, for example, children born prematurely, having a low birth weight or having a congenital defect. They are more interested in a vaccination against the virus that can cause inflammation of the stomach or intestines, which can lead to serious health problems.
The first children should be vaccinated next year. State Secretary Blokhuis will see after two years it makes sense to offer vaccination to all children.
On September 27, 2017, my predecessor sent to your chamber the advice of the Board of Health (GR) on rotavirus vaccination1. advise in all cases to vaccinate groups at risk against rotavirus. Vaccines available on the market are administered orally. This means that the vaccine is administered by drops in the mouth.
Further to the additional information, the Secretary of State decided to follow the advice of the GR and offer rotavirus vaccination to children with a risk factor. He wants to include and offer vaccination for high-risk groups via the National Immunization Program
Explanation
The Health Council advises in all cases to vaccinate children with a risk factor, such as prematurity, underweight and / or congenital. They are more interested in vaccination against rotavirus because of a greater chance of a relatively serious infection. GR is also positive for overall vaccination. The reason is that it is precisely the most vulnerable children at risk who can (still) be vaccinated only those who are protected by group immunity. As I indicated in my letter of March 22, according to the Health Council, this is not profitable at the current price of the vaccine. Another question is whether the vaccination rate will be sufficient to create the protective effect of the group.
Profitability
In addition to profitability, I also considered the relative obscurity of the oral rotavirus vaccine. Now that the reluctance of parents to vaccinate is increasing, it seems desirable not to make immediate major changes to the national immunization program. This is why the Secretary of State wants to start by introducing vaccination to children who benefit the most and be profitable, according to the opinion of the GR. More information on rotavirus vaccination can be found on the RIVM website.
The goal is to start offering rotavirus vaccination in the spring of 2019. After two years, progress will be validated and explored to see if it makes sense to move to full vaccination through the program national immunization
Source: Rijksoverheid
