Given the recent increase in meningococcal serogroup B cases in the Netherlands, what is the projected cost-benefit analysis for implementing a serogroup B vaccination into the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), considering the potential financial implications and the expected health outcomes?
Meningococcal Disease Serogroup B: Is a New Vaccination needed in the Netherlands?
Imagine a disease so swift and severe that it can claim a life in mere hours. This is the reality of *meningococcal disease serogroup B*, an aggressive bacterial infection that primarily targets children and young adults. While the Netherlands has a solid vaccination programme for other meningococcal serogroups, a crucial question looms: is it time to introduce a vaccine for serogroup B? Recent data indicates a rising number of cases, sparking renewed debate among health officials. in 2024 alone, nearly 120 people contracted the illness. We delve into the latest recommendations from the Dutch Health Council, investigating the current situation, exploring vaccine efficacy and the potential implementation challenges, including the logistical hurdles and the significant cost-benefit analysis required before a change to the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) can be made.
summary
Meningococcal disease is a life -threatening disease that is caused by different types of meningococcal bacteria (Sero groups). These sero groups are indicated with letters. in the Netherlands, children are vaccinated against meningococci A, C, W and Y. There is also a type B against wich vaccines exist. In 2022, the Health Council advised not to introduce the vaccination against meningococci B into the National Vaccination Program.
Since 2022, a little more people in the Netherlands have fallen ill from an infection with meningococci B. In 2024 there were 118 meningococci B patients, of whom 34 children under five years and 30 young adults (15-24 years). The Health Council is the Ministry of VWS (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) Again advising on vaccination against meningococcal B. As a support for this advice, RIVM has merged data about this vaccination and how frequently enough disease due to meningococci B in the Netherlands occurs.This document also deals with the costs and effects of vaccination.
There are different tribes of meningococci B. It differs per country and per year which strains cause the moast disease. The vaccines do not protect against all tribes, but seem to work well in European countries they use.
To add a vaccination against meningococci B to the puncture schedule of the National Vaccination Program, extra vaccination moments would be needed. There are vaccines in which the Serogroep B is combined with the existing ACWY vaccine. These vaccines are now not available in Europe.
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening disease caused by different types of meningococcal bacteria (serogroups). These serogroups are distinguished by different letters. In the Netherlands, children are vaccinated against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W and Y. There are also vaccines for another serogroup, B.In 2022, the Health Council of the Netherlands advised against the introduction of serogroup B vaccination in the National Immunisation Programme.
As 2022, the number of people in the Netherlands who become ill with meningococcal disease consequently of an infection with serogroup B has crept up gradually. In 2024, the number of meningococcal disease serogroup B patients stood at 118, 34 of which were children under the age of five and 30 of which were young adults (aged from 15 to 24). The Health Council will therefore issue a new advisory report on vaccination against meningococcal disease serogroup B for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. As input for this advisory report, RIVM has collated information about serogroup B vaccination and the incidence of meningococcal serogroup B disease in the Netherlands. This report will also address the costs and effects of vaccination.
There are various strains of meningococcal serogroup B bacteria. Which strains are the most common causes of disease differs from country to country and from year to year. While the vaccines do not protect against all strains, they appear effective in the European countries that use them.
If serogroup B vaccination is to be added to the National Immunisation Programme’s vaccine scheme, additional vaccination moments will be required. There are vaccines that combine protection against serogroup B with protection against serogroups A, C, W and Y, but these are not currently available in Europe.
Meningococcal disease serogroup B. Updated information for the Dutch Health Council
Summary
Meningococcal disease is a life -threatening disease that is caused by different types of meningococcal bacteria (Sero groups). These sero groups are indicated with letters. In the Netherlands, children are vaccinated against meningococci A, C, W and Y. There is also a type B against which vaccines exist. In 2022, the Health Council advised not to introduce the vaccination against meningococci B into the National Vaccination Program.
Since 2022, a little more people in the Netherlands have fallen ill from an infection with meningococci B. In 2024 there were 118 meningococci B patients, of whom 34 children under five years and 30 young adults (15-24 years). The Health Council is the Ministry of VWS (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) Again advising on vaccination against meningococcal B. As a support for this advice, RIVM has merged information about this vaccination and how often disease due to meningococci B in the Netherlands occurs. This document also deals with the costs and effects of vaccination.
There are different tribes of meningococci B. It differs per country and per year which strains cause the most disease. The vaccines do not protect against all tribes, but seem to work well in European countries they use.
To add a vaccination against meningococci B to the puncture schedule of the National Vaccination Program, extra vaccination moments would be needed. There are vaccines in which the Serogroep B is combined with the existing ACWY vaccine. These vaccines are now not available in Europe.
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening disease caused by different types of meningococcal bacteria (serogroups). These serogroups are distinguished by different letters. In the Netherlands, children are vaccinated against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W and Y. There are also vaccines for another serogroup, B. In 2022, the Health Council of the Netherlands advised against the introduction of serogroup B vaccination in the National Immunisation Programme.
Since 2022, the number of people in the Netherlands who become ill with meningococcal disease as a result of an infection with serogroup B has crept up gradually. In 2024, the number of meningococcal disease serogroup B patients stood at 118, 34 of which were children under the age of five and 30 of which were young adults (aged from 15 to 24). The Health Council will therefore issue a new advisory report on vaccination against meningococcal disease serogroup B for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. As input for this advisory report, RIVM has collated information about serogroup B vaccination and the incidence of meningococcal serogroup B disease in the Netherlands. This report will also address the costs and effects of vaccination.
There are various strains of meningococcal serogroup B bacteria. Which strains are the most common causes of disease differs from country to country and from year to year. While the vaccines do not protect against all strains, they appear effective in the European countries that use them.
If serogroup B vaccination is to be added to the National Immunisation Programme’s vaccine scheme, additional vaccination moments will be required. There are vaccines that combine protection against serogroup B with protection against serogroups A, C, W and Y, but these are not currently available in Europe.
