In a joint note to the State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the Health Council and the National Health Care Institute present their considerations on respiratory syncytial virus (RS virus) vaccination. Both organisations offer advice from the perspective of their different roles and tasks. It is up to the State Secretary to make a decision on the basis of both advisory reports.

Advice from the National Health Care Institute

The National Health Care Institute advises the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to not reimburse RSVPreF3-vaccin (Arexvy®) from the basic healthcare package. The vaccine has not been shown to provide added value for patients at increased risk of becoming seriously ill due to RS virus infection.

For more information, go to 'Advice - do not reimburse RSVPreF3 vaccine (Arexvy®) for certain patients at increased risk of RS virus disease' (Dutch).

Health Council advice

The Health Council concludes that the burden of disease of RSV infections in the elderly and high-risk groups warrants the consideration of vaccination, that the available vaccines are effective and safe, and that vaccination is acceptable. On this basis, the committee recommends a programme-based offering of RSV vaccination for people aged 75 years and older, and high-risk groups and residents of long-term care institutions aged 60 to 75 years. However, there is currently uncertainty about the duration of the period of protection provided by the vaccination. The effectiveness decreases after several years, so vaccination may need to be repeated after a few years. The committee states that the introduction of a programme-based vaccine provision should provide sufficient clarity about the expected period of protection and the timing of any repeat vaccination.

For more information, go the Health Council website.

The Health Council and the National Health Care Institute jointly advise on vaccinations

Since 2014, the Health Council and the National Health Care Institute have collaborated to advise the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport on vaccinations. The Health Council assesses whether a vaccination should be included in the National Immunisation Programme (RVP). The National Health Care Institute assesses whether the vaccine should be included in the basic healthcare package. The organisations send the Ministry of VWS their own advisory report and a joint statement. It is up to the State Secretary to make a decision on the basis of both advisory reports.