The future of the National Immunisation Programme: towards a programme for all age groups

Since 1957, Dutch children have been vaccinated against infectious disease through the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), usually at clinics for infants and toddlers. The programme prevents a great deal of disease and death. Initially, vaccination was provided against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio. Later, the programme was extended to also provide protection against measles, German measles, mumps, hepatitis B, and infection by Haemophilus influenzae type b, meningococcus C and pneumococci.