COVID-19 and the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are still present in the Netherlands. COVID-19 vaccination boosts your immunity and protects you against severe illness and hospital admission. RIVM is monitoring COVID-19 trends in the Netherlands. In addition, RIVM is researching vaccine effectiveness, willingness to vaccinate among the general population, and the degree of immunity to COVID-19 after vaccination and/or infection.

COVID-19 vaccination restores a sufficient level of protection against severe illness and hospital admission. COVID-19 vaccination is still available for:

  • pregnant people
  • adults and children in medical high-risk groups (such as people with severely impaired immunity, also known as immunocompromised patients) as advised by their treating physician
  • People who have been referred by a treating physician for other reasons that those listed here

The COVID-19 vaccination is given by the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) with the XBB.1.5 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech.

COVID-19 vaccination gives protection against severe illness and hospital admission.

 

Can I get a COVID-19 vaccination?

No. People referred by their treating physician and pregnant people are the only groups still eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Since you had COVID-19, the infection has restored your immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A COVID-19 vaccination will not offer much added protection.

The updated mRNA vaccine made by BioNTech/Pfizer. This vaccine has been adapted to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. People in the Netherlands who cannot get a COVID-19 vaccination with an mRNA vaccine for medical reasons, or do not want an mRNA vaccine, can get a COVID-19 vaccination with Novavax. During pregnancy, the preferred option is to be vaccinated with the mRNA vaccine.

The vaccines have been adapted to the XBB.1.5 variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and work in the same way as the original mRNA vaccines. The side effects of this vaccine are similar and generally do not last long: a sore arm, tiredness, a low-grade fever, one day of feeling poorly. 
 

The updated COVID-19 vaccination helps your body produce many antibodies against the XBB variant within a short time frame. This means that your immune system can more effectively recognise the XBB variant and protect you against serious illness. This also applies if you have previously had COVID-19 involving an infection with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

People in the Netherlands who cannot get a COVID-19 vaccination with an mRNA vaccine for medical reasons, or do not want an mRNA vaccine, can get a COVID-19 vaccination with the Novavax vaccine. Please note: you will need a referral letter from your treating physician to get a COVID-19 vaccination from the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) at this time.

COVID-19 vaccination with the Novavax vaccine is available at a limited number of GGD locations by appointment only. To make an appointment, call telephone number: 0800-7040. State clearly that you want to be vaccinated with the Novavax vaccine.

Side effects may occur after vaccination. The side effects of a COVID-19 vaccination generally do not last long: a sore arm, tiredness, a low-grade fever, one day of feeling poorly. Side effects can be reported to Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, the organisation in the Netherlands that compiles information and reported side effects of medicines and vaccines. Read more about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination.

Yes, the 15-minute waiting period is recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the WHO for all COVID-19 vaccines. It is also listed in the package leaflet for all the COVID-19 vaccines. The letter to Parliament (in Dutch) by the outgoing Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) offers more details.

Yes, you are advised to get a COVID-19 vaccination in the second trimester of your pregnancy (13 to 26 weeks). During pregnancy, you have a higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. This can have consequences for the mother and (unborn) child. The preferred option is an mRNA vaccine administered during pregnancy. Read more on the RIVM page about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.

Please contact your treating physician. Your doctor can check if you can get a COVID-19 vaccination from the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs). The doctor may also decide to refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist). This depends on the nature of your allergic reaction. In that case, the allergist will decide if you can have a COVID-19 vaccination, and where: in hospital or at the GGD.