The National Immunisation Programme in the Dutch Caribbean

In 2010, the islands Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, together referred to as the Dutch Caribbean, became so-called public bodies, functioning as special municipalities of the Netherlands. As a consequence, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports is now responsible for public health in both the European Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean. Three vaccinations that are part of the NIP are currently not available in the Dutch Caribbean. To adequately protect the population on the islands, the Committee advises to extend the programme in the Dutch Caribbean with vaccination against pneumococcal disease, meningococcal C disease and cervical cancer.