Current developments and trends in childhood immunization

In this paper we highlight several instances in which there is potential for novel utilization in the near future of relatively recently licenced vaccines, vaccines approaching licensure or vaccines already in established use. Specifically we discuss the potential for universal seasonal influenza immunization and the arrival of live attenuated intranasal vaccine which was licenced for use in children aged 2–17 years in Europe in 2010, the potential use of live oral rotavirus vaccines for infants, two of which have been available in Europe since 2006, pertussis, which despite availability and widespread use throughout Europe of acellular vaccines for many years is causing, if anything, worsening problems in many countries so that novel strategies and solutions are needed and finally endemic meningococcal disease, for which in Europe, conjugate group C vaccines have been in use for 10 years but may now require revised schedules. Novel protein-based vaccines designed to prevent much of this disease caused by the main remaining European serogroup, namely B, are expected to be licenced and available for use imminently.