High attendancy for vaccination no longer self-evident

In 2008 the Dutch government decided that human papillomavirus vaccination against cervical cancer should be available for 12 year old girls, based on the advice of the Health Council of the Netherlands. In 2009 the vaccination campaign started, but coverage rate was much lower than expected. Publicity about supposed and unproven side effects was enormous. Rendering and Ruwaard (department of Health) and Conyn-van Spaendonck (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) describe the facts and reflect on learned lessons. Lenselink cum suis decribe the role of parents and put emphasis on more information and education for parents of teenager girls. Sikkema presents a new approach for the communication about vaccination in modern times.