Vaccination against rotavirus

Rotavirus is a pathogen that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. Young children are particularly susceptible to this intestinal infection (gastroenteritis) and can end up in hospital if they develop severe symptoms. Every year, about 3,600 children under the age of five are hospitalised with a rotavirus infection in the Netherlands. 

Recent studies show that in countries where large groups of children have already been vaccinated, the number of children with gastroenteritis and the number of hospital admissions fell sharply. The Health Council recommends that rotavirus vaccination be included in the National Immunisation Programme. The price of available vaccines will have to fall in order for this to be cost-effective.