Meningococcal B infection can lead to meningococcal disease, a very serious disease that can cause meningitis and sepsis. The severity of the disease gives reason to consider vaccination. Still, the Health Council recommends, as in previous years, not to include meningococcal B vaccination in the National Immunisation Programme. This is because the health gains to be achieved at the population level do not outweigh the disadvantages.
The incidence of meningococcal B is currently relatively low in the Netherlands. In 2025, there were 26 cases in young children and 32 in adolescents, and 1 death in both groups. It is unclear to which extent these numbers can be reduced with vaccination. On the other hand, the introduction of vaccination would mean that approximately 170,000 young children would receive 3 doses of a vaccine that relatively often leads to high fever. This can lead to hospitalisation in very young children. In addition, it is not known for adolescents whether protection by vaccination lasts long enough, and the vaccine does not provide herd immunity.
Meningococcal B cases are carefully monitored in the Netherlands. An increase in the incidence can be reason for reconsidering the current advice. The Health Council will also advise again if a new vaccine becomes available, or if the dosage is revised.