New round of COVID-19 vaccinations in autumn 2026

The new COVID-19 vaccination round will start on 21 September 2026. You can schedule an appointment by 27 November 2026 at the latest.

Who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination?

• people aged 70 years and older;
• people aged 50 to 69 years with one or more diseases or conditions that increase their risk of severe coronavirus symptoms;
• adults and children from high-risk medical groups;
• care workers who have direct contact with vulnerable patients.

Are you not in one of the groups above but would still like a COVID-19 vaccination? For example, because someone in your household is vulnerable or because your treating doctor has advised you to get vaccinated? You can book an appointment with the GGD during the vaccination round at planjeprik.nl.

The COVID-19 vaccine remains available throughout the year for adults and children in medical high-risk groups (such as people with impaired immunity) with a referral from their attending physician. To make an appointment, please contact the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) on 0800-7070.

COVID-19 vaccinations at home

Are you unable to attend a vaccination location because of a serious illness, condition or disability? In exceptional cases, you may be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at home. Call 0800-7070 to arrange this.

Examples of situations in which a home vaccination may be an option:

• You need assistance and care at all times, day and night.
• You cannot walk or travel independently or with assistance.
• Travelling or overstimulation causes confusion or distress, for example severe dementia or autism.
• Seriously ill or unable to leave your bed.
• Subject to long-term care with frequent nursing and personal care (such as care profiles VV5, VV6 or VV7).

These are just examples. They offer a guideline. Unsure if you can be vaccinated at home? A GGD staff member will discuss the options with you.

Which vaccine will I receive?

The vaccination round uses  BioNTech/Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine. This vaccine targets the XFG subvariant of the coronavirus.

Read more about how the vaccine works and its patient information leaflet on the page How COVID-19 vaccines work.

Protein-based COVID-19 vaccine

The modified protein-based COVID-19 vaccine targeting the XFG variant, manufactured by HIPRA (BIMERVAX XFG.1.1), was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on 31 July 2026. Although it has been approved, the vaccine is not yet immediately available. If you cannot or do not wish to receive an mRNA vaccine for medical reasons, you can receive the protein-based vaccine once it becomes available. Once the date of availability is known, this website will explain when vaccination with the protein-based vaccine will begin and how you can register.

What has changed since 2025?

In recent years, the number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths due to COVID-19 infections has decreased. An important difference with 2025 is that for people without conditions, the age for vaccination is increased from 60 years and older to 70 years and older.  This is because hospitalisations are rare in healthy people under the age of 70. People with one or more specific diseases are still at risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. See also Risk groups and COVID-19.

Under 70? You will not receive an invitation letter

RIVM no longer sends invitation letters for COVID-19 vaccination to people under 70. If you are under 70 and belong to a risk group, you can book an appointment yourself at planjeprik.nl or by calling 0800 7070.

Will the COVID-19 vaccination be offered every year?

Coronavirus is still present. It is not yet clear how the virus will develop in the months and years ahead, or how many people will become ill from it.

In spring and summer 2026, little coronavirus was detected in the Netherlands. You can find more information on the RIVM webpage Updates on coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This does not mean that the virus has disappeared. It may become more common again, or it may change. This could lead to more people becoming infected and ill.

Whether the COVID-19 vaccination will also be offered in the coming years depends on how the virus develops and how ill it makes people. The vaccination offer is therefore reviewed regularly to determine whether it needs to be adjusted. It is not yet clear what the vaccination programme will look like in the future.