Criteria for the selection of a vaccine against pertussis

Advisory report issued by the Health Council of the Netherlands related to criteria for the selection of a vaccine against pertussis (26 March 2014). For years only one hexavalent combination vaccine was available for the vaccination of infants. Recently, a second hexavalent combination vaccine was granted marketing authorization by the European Medicines Authority. Effective protection of infants against pertussis appears to be possible using both combination vaccines. However, to allow more definitive conclusions new immunological and field research is needed. For now, the current combination vaccine is preferable above the new vaccine. That is the advice the Health Council of the Netherlands gives to the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport. Document in Dutch with a summary in English.