RIVM currently sees no reason to set up a new round of repeat shots against COVID-19. Booster shots will remain available for people over 60 who have not yet received their second booster shot, Minister Ernst Kuipers (Public Health) reported to the House on Tuesday.
According to the RIVM, there is now no reason to give specific groups a new shot, Kuipers writes in a letter. RIVM would rather use longer intervals for the repeat injections than the current minimum interval of three months.
Since March, people over 60 can get a second booster shot. With the current three-month interval, they would be eligible for a new booster shot in June, but a longer interval can contribute to a higher immune response in the longer term, according to RIVM. It can also be advantageous to offer a repeat injection shortly before an expected increase in the infection pressure, says Kuipers.
The minister will keep an eye on whether and when a new repeat injection is desirable for specific groups. This mainly focuses on nursing home residents and elderly people aged eighty and over. The cabinet says it has plans ready to start a new vaccination campaign quickly if the situation calls for it.
In April, Kuipers announced after advice from the Health Council that a second boost for the entire population is not necessary. As a result, millions of corona vaccines risk ending up unused in the trash.