New coronavirus vaccination round begins: is it necessary for everyone to get it?

Photo: Unsplash/Ed Us

The coronavirus's dominance in the news is long behind us, but that doesn't mean the virus is gone. A new round of vaccinations against the coronavirus will even begin on September 15th. Does this mean we can expect a new wave of coronavirus? And is everyone supposed to get vaccinated? The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) has answers.

Although you rarely hear people talking about the coronavirus anymore, it's still around and could resurge at any time. As summer slowly draws to a close, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) expects the number of respiratory infections to rise significantly again in the fall. This doesn't mean a new wave of coronavirus is on the way, but it does mean that people are still hospitalized every week due to a coronavirus infection.

There are still people dying from the virus, but these are truly exceptions. These include elderly people and those who are already ill.

Since the end of July, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) has also seen a gradual increase in the number of people with the coronavirus . However, the numbers are not alarming, but are in line with the same period last year. To continue to better protect people at increased risk from hospitalization or death from coronavirus, a new round of vaccinations will begin. This vaccination can be received until December 5, 2025. Not everyone needs to get the shot; it is intended for the following risk groups:

Anyone who is 60 years of age or older.
People aged 50 to 59 who receive an annual invitation for the flu shot.
Adults and children from high-risk medical groups (for example, people with severe immune deficiencies).
Healthcare workers who have direct contact with vulnerable patients.

The COVID-19 vaccine is also available to some people who don't fall into the target group mentioned above. This includes people with a vulnerable family member or those who, on the advice of a treating physician, want to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Everyone aged 60 or older has received or will receive an invitation letter from the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). People under 60 who belong to one of the risk groups mentioned above will not receive a letter, but can make an appointment with the Municipal Health Service (GGD) starting August 26th via planjeprik.nl or by calling 0800-7070.