[Vaccination of children in 1996].

Immunization against Haemophilus influenzae b and hepatitis B during infancy, as well as the administration of a second dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine around the age of 12, are the significant additions brought to the childhood immunization program in recent years. The availability in the near future of the acellular pertussis vaccines illustrates the efforts made to reduce the side effects associated with the use of some vaccines. The high cost of these acellular vaccines, together with the absence of combined Haemophilus influenzae or hepatitis B vaccines, represent their current limitations.