http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/323/7311/470/b
BMJ 2001;323:470 ( 1 September )
News
Dutch consider following UK on vaccines after meningitis scare
Tony Sheldon
An outbreak of meningococcal disease in the south of the Netherlands,
resulting in the deaths of two 11 year olds, has sparked a debate
over whether the Dutch should follow the United Kingdom and Belgium
in launching a national vaccination programme against group C
meningococcal infection.
In the Netherlands, unlike in the United Kingdom, most (85%) meningococcal
disease is caused by group B meningococcus, for which there is no
vaccine. However, evidence exists of an increasing trend of cases of
group C meningitis.
Acting on the advice of the national outbreak management team, the community
health services in West Brabant, near the Belgian border, last week
vaccinated nearly 5000 young people
from
infants aged under 1 year to 18 year oldsin
the villages of Zevenbergen and Klundert.
The action was taken because a clear geographical cluster of five cases of
the same type of group C meningococcal infection were identified.
Vaccinations outside the risk area were deemed unnecessary as the
risk was considered no greater than normal, a position supported by
the Dutch GPs' association. But medical services have faced public
pressure to vaccinate elsewhere especially in North Limburg, where
another single case of group C meningitis was confirmed last week.
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OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING
MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN
IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN
CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.