The booster campaign for people over 60 is not running smoothly in our province. People aged 60 and over have been able to get this repeat injection against the coronavirus for two weeks. 14,000 people from Drenthe have now done this.
According to the GGD, there is a lot of interest in this vaccination round, but problems sometimes arise at some injection locations because people do not keep to appointments. The fact that the partner can now also come along also causes more crowds.
“Many people have an appointment, but there are also people without an appointment and we do not help them, but they do cause more crowds,” says Linda van der Heide of the GGD.
Another problem is that people do not always show up at the time of the appointment. “Sometimes they come when the location has just opened or they come on the right day, but earlier or later than stated in the appointment.”
The spokesperson for the GGD emphasizes that people should really arrive at the time of their appointment. “If they don’t do this, it sometimes results in long lines. The average waiting time is twenty minutes, but in some cases it can rise to forty minutes, which in turn causes complaints from visitors.”
The GGD tries to ensure everything runs smoothly and, among other things, places chairs in the queue for people with reduced mobility.
Eight locations are now open in Drenthe for the booster shot against the coronavirus. According to the GGD, vaccinations are particularly busy in Hoogeveen, Dwingeloo and Emmen. Since this week, people under the age of 60 can also get a shot. This concerns people who are at increased risk of becoming ill and their family members and healthcare workers.
Only people aged 60 and over will receive an invitation letter until the end of November. Younger people must make an appointment themselves.