2023-07-01 19:20:34
Health Council Recommends Annual Coronavirus Vaccination for Certain Groups
In a recent advisory report, the Health Council has recommended that individuals aged 60 and older, healthcare workers, and individuals with medical risks should receive a repeat vaccination against the coronavirus every year. The council suggests that the best time for this annual vaccine would be in the autumn, potentially in conjunction with the flu jab, which these individuals are already eligible for. It is estimated that approximately 4 million people would qualify for this repeat shot.
The advisory report on the “structural vaccination program” has been sent to Health Minister Ernst Kuipers, who will make the final decision on implementing the recommendation. The medical high-risk groups considered in the report include individuals with Down syndrome, severe obesity, organ transplant recipients, individuals on waiting lists for organ transplants, and people with kidney failure.
Additionally, pregnant women are also eligible for the repeat vaccination. Contracting COVID-19 can lead to serious complications for pregnant women and can result in premature births. According to the council, it is best to administer the vaccine to pregnant women at 22 weeks of pregnancy, as this significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19 complications. The council suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine can be combined with other vaccinations, such as the whooping cough shot.
Last autumn, individuals were able to receive the repeat vaccination at vaccination locations managed by the Municipal Health Services (GGDs). If the vaccine is now to be combined with the flu jab, the council proposes that general practitioners (GPs) could administer the vaccines. However, the final decision on this matter lies with the Health Minister.
This advisory report is the first from the Health Council focusing on tackling the coronavirus since the end of the pandemic. Though the virus has become endemic and part of everyday life, it has not disappeared entirely. People continue to become infected, leading to hospitalizations and deaths, particularly among the high-risk groups. The Health Council’s recommendation for annual vaccinations aims to protect these vulnerable individuals and minimize the impact of COVID-19 on their health.
The Health Minister will now review the advisory report and determine the course of action regarding the implementation of the annual coronavirus vaccination program for the specified groups.]
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