Vaccination of infants against pneumococcal infections

The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has asked the Health Council to discuss the vaccination of infants against pneumococci. The Minister wants to introduce this vaccination in the light of the Health Council’s recommendation issued in 2002. This stated that pneumococcal infections were a serious condition and advised a four-injection vaccination programme. The Minister asked the Health Council whether there was any scientific evidence that three injections, rather than the recommended four, could also provide adequate protection. The Minister was considering a three-injection programme, as this would allow pneumococcal vaccination to be performed cost-effectively in the Netherlands.