[Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzaetype b; why and how?].

After a development period of around 13 years, in 1993 the vaccination against infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was introduced into the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. Before the introduction of the vaccination, the burden of disease was high; every year around 700 children acquired an invasive Hib infection, half of whom developed meningitis. Of those children with Hib-related meningitis, 2% died and more than 8% were left with severe residual symptoms.

[Measles vaccination: why and how?].

The measles virus is highly contagious and may hit non-immune populations very hard, as observed on remote islands. The first live-attenuated measles virus vaccine was registered in the United States in 1963, and was imported to the Netherlands from 1968 onwards. Production was taken over by the National Institute for Public Health (RIV).

Collaborative emergency preparedness and response to cross-institutional outbreaks of multidrug-resistant organisms: a scenario-based approach in two regions of the Netherlands.

Background: The likelihood of large-scale outbreaks of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) is growing. MDRO outbreaks can affect a wide range of healthcare institutions. Control of such outbreaks requires structured collaboration between professionals from all involved healthcare institutions, but guidelines for cross-institutional procedures are, however, often missing.

Towards fair and effective North-South collaboration: realising a programme for demand-driven and locally led research.

Background: At the turn of the 90s, studies showed that health research contributed little to health and development in low- and middle-income countries because it was oriented towards international priorities and dominated by researchers from the North. A new approach to North-South collaboration was required that would support demand-driven and locally led research in the South. The aim of this study was to analyse the development and functioning of a programme for demand-driven and locally led research in Ghana that was supported by a North-South collaboration.

Comparison of NITAG policies and working processes in selected developed countries.

Background: Vaccines are specific medicines characterized by two country-specific market access processes: (1) a recommendation by National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), and (2) a funding policy decision.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare and analyze NITAGs of 13 developed countries by describing vaccination committees' bodies and working processes.

Methods: Information about NITAGs bodies and working processes was searched from official sources from June 2011 to November 2012.