Netherlands Excludes Meningococcal B Vaccine From National Vaccination Program

Minister Hermans of Health has decided that vaccinations against meningococcal B will not be added to the national vaccination programme at this time. This decision follows a formal recommendation from the Health Council.

Understanding Meningococcal B

Infection by the meningococcal B bacterium can lead to meningococcal disease. This is a severe condition capable of causing blood poisoning, and meningitis.

The disease primarily affects children under the age of five. While type B remains excluded, vaccinations against meningococcal types A, C, W, and Y are already included in the national programme.

Did You Know? The Health Council’s current recommendation is consistent with previous guidance, as the council provided the same advice in both 2018 and 2022.

Evaluating the Risks and Benefits

The Health Council determined that the disadvantages of including the type B vaccine outweigh the potential benefits. This assessment is based partly on the current low number of infections.

In 2025, there were 26 cases among young children and 32 cases among adolescents. Each of these two groups recorded one death.

There is also uncertainty regarding how many of these cases could actually be prevented through vaccination. Implementing the programme would require 170,000 young children to receive three doses of the vaccine annually.

The vaccine is known to relatively frequently cause high fever. In very young children, these febrile reactions could potentially lead to hospitalization.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that this decision highlights the complex balancing act health officials face. They must weigh the risk of a rare but severe disease against the predictable side effects of a mass vaccination campaign, especially when those side effects may result in hospital admissions for the most vulnerable infants.

Looking Ahead

The number of meningococcal B cases in the Netherlands continues to be carefully monitored. The current policy may change based on future developments.

A new advisory may be issued by the Health Council if a new vaccine becomes available. Similarly, an increase in the number of disease cases could trigger a re-evaluation of the programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks associated with the meningococcal B vaccine?

The vaccine relatively often causes high fever, which may lead to hospitalization in very young children.

Know Your Vaccine: Meningococcal Vaccine for Travellers

How many cases of meningococcal B were reported in 2025?

There were 26 cases among young children and 32 cases among adolescents, with one death occurring in each group.

Which meningococcal vaccines are currently part of the national programme?

Vaccinations against meningococcal types A, C, W, and Y are included in the programme.

How do you feel about the balance between vaccine side effects and the prevention of rare diseases in early childhood?