2023-07-07 23:00:00
Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport has announced that a new round of vaccinations against the coronavirus will be launched in the autumn of 2023. The aim of this vaccination program is to protect individuals at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, as well as healthcare workers with direct patient contact.
The decision comes in response to the advice of the Health Council, which recommended the implementation of a structured vaccination program against the coronavirus this autumn. While the number of serious COVID-19 cases has significantly reduced in recent years due to vaccination and previous infections, it is expected that the virus will continue to circulate and the protection gained through vaccination will diminish over time.
The eligible groups for the corona shot in the upcoming round include individuals aged 60 and older, adults and children from high-risk medical groups, and adults from medical high-risk groups who receive an annual flu shot invitation. Healthcare workers with direct patient contact will also be offered the opportunity to receive the vaccine.
Pregnant women, on the other hand, will have access to the corona shot throughout the year. They will be offered the vaccine in the 22nd week of their pregnancy.
The general population under the age of 60 does not require a corona shot as they already have a high degree of protection due to previous infection and/or vaccination. However, the Health Council advises that in exceptional cases, individuals outside the specified target groups may be eligible for a repeat vaccination, such as those with vulnerable family members.
To initiate the autumn round of vaccinations, the Minister has instructed the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Municipal Health Services (GGD GHOR Nederland) to make the necessary preparations. It is planned to use an mRNA vaccine specifically developed for the currently circulating Omikron subvariant (XBB). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is set to publish an assessment of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine soon.
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport aims to commence the first injections in October, pending the delivery of vaccines and the required preparation time at the GGDs. In case the new vaccines are not available in time, additional advice will be sought from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT Vaccinations) to determine an alternative vaccine option.
Considering the uncertain future of the coronavirus, the Health Council recommends conducting an annual review to determine who will require the vaccination. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport will decide at a later stage whether to establish an annual vaccination program.
With this upcoming round of vaccinations, the Netherlands aims to further protect high-risk groups from severe illness and hospitalization caused by the coronavirus.]
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