News item | 05-07-2023 | 12:15
In the autumn of 2023, there will be a new round of vaccinations against the corona virus for people who run a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from corona. With the corona shot, their protection against serious illness and hospitalization is restored. Healthcare workers with direct patient contact are also eligible for a vaccination. This is written by Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport to the House of Representatives in response to the advice of the Health Council to start a structural vaccination program against corona this autumn.
Fewer people become seriously ill from corona compared to the first years of the pandemic. This is partly due to the broad protection that has been built up, because many people have been vaccinated, have previously been infected or both. But the virus is expected to continue to circulate. In addition, the protection diminishes over time. That is why it remains important to protect high-risk groups against hospitalization or death due to corona with the help of a vaccination.
Who will receive the corona shot?
The risk groups that are eligible for a corona shot in the autumn are people aged 60 and older, adults and children from medical high-risk groups (for example, people with an immune disorder) and adults from medical high-risk groups who receive an annual invitation for the flu jab. Healthcare employees who have direct contact with patients will also be given the opportunity to get a corona shot. The corona shot is available all year round for pregnant women. They will be offered the vaccination in the 22e week of their pregnancy. A corona shot for the general population is not necessary because there is a high degree of protection among the population under the age of 60. This is due to the combination of an infection and/or vaccination and because the chance of them becoming seriously ill is relatively small. However, as the Health Council also advises, there is the possibility in individual cases to receive a repeat vaccination for people outside the specified target groups, for example for people with a vulnerable family member.
Start autumn round and vaccines
The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport asks RIVM and GGD GHOR Nederland to make preparations to carry out the vaccination round this autumn. The aim is to use an mRNA vaccine that is adapted to the currently circulating Omikron subvariant (XBB). The EMA will soon publish an assessment of this vaccine developed by BioNTech/Pfizer.
Depending on the deliveries of the vaccines and the required preparation time at the GGDs, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport wants to start the first injections in October. If it turns out in the coming weeks that the new vaccines are not available in time, the OMT Vaccinations will be asked for additional advice on which vaccine to use.
An annual corona shot?
Because it is uncertain how the coronavirus will develop in the future, the Health Council advises to check annually who needs the vaccination. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport will make a decision later on the possible establishment of an annual vaccination programme.