[Rotavirus vaccination for all Dutch infants]

Recently, the Netherlands Health Council (HC) issued an updated advice on rotavirus vaccination. Rotavirus gastro-enteritis primarily affects young children, of whom, in the Netherlands, annually ~2700 end up in the hospital and 5-7 die. In 2017, the HC judged positively on rotavirus vaccination of young children, but also concluded that the cost-effectiveness of general vaccination was unfavorable. Yet, the HC recommended to at least vaccinate vulnerable children in specific risk-groups. Because of the corona crisis, this, however, has not materialized. Meanwhile, the Dutch Risk-group Infant Vaccination Against Rotavirus study has demonstrated that rotavirus vaccination of children in risk-groups is less effective than previously thought. Therefore, the HC now recommends rotavirus vaccination of all children. General vaccination within the Dutch NIP is expected to result in herd-immunity, such that all children, including those in risk-groups, are protected. Nonetheless, the Dutch Ministry of Health has decided to postpone implementation of rotavirus vaccination.