Nearly 85% of people aged 18 and over have had at least one vaccination

Last week’s RIVM vaccination update was expanded to include three maps of the Netherlands. It is now possible to see vaccination turnout by municipality for everyone aged 18 years and over. That includes turnout for at least one vaccination and for full vaccination. Turnout among people aged 18 years and over is currently at nearly 85% for at least one vaccination, and estimates indicate that 66% of all those aged 18 and older are fully vaccinated. The report also shows vaccination coverage for full vaccination among people aged 26-45 years per municipality.

21 million vaccinations

The 21 millionth COVID-19 vaccination was administered this week. 

Rotterdam starts vaccinating all sailors

As of Monday 2 August, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR), job health and safety service provider Arbo Unie, and the Association of Rotterdam Shipbrokers and Agents (VRC) started vaccinating all sailors. For the time being, this initiative involves a pilot project in the Rotterdam region in which 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all sea-going vessels for a period of two months. This is in line with the KVNR’s programme for the vaccination of sailors sailing under the Dutch flag or for a Dutch shipping company.

Expected route for patients with severe allergic reaction after vaccination

A route is being developed for people who had a potentially severe allergic reaction after the first COVID-19 vaccination can be referred to an allergist via their GP. These individuals have currently received a provisional contraindication for a second vaccination. The route for these people is being worked out in more detail, and a decision on a broad, coordinated, nationwide approach will be reached as soon as possible. This could involve hundreds of patients, so coordination between hospitals, GPs and vaccination doctors is necessary. GPs, GGD doctors and other referring physicians are requested not to report or refer patients to allergists or dermatologists at this time until arrangements have been made and it is clear what the route will be. Once it is clearer how the broad, nationwide route will be arranged, more information will be provided.

From week 32 on, the SOL-M 3 ml syringe will be delivered for adding NaCl to the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty). This syringe is a replacement for the BD 3 ml dilution syringe. Any BD dilution syringes on site can be used up before the SOL-M 3 ml dilution syringe is put into use. While supplies last, the SOL-M 3 ml dilution syringe will be delivered until the end of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The SOL-M 3 ml dilution syringe is equivalent to the BD 3 ml dilution syringe in terms of how it is used. The instructions for preparing the Pfizer vaccine remain unchanged. This message is for information purposes only.

From week 32 on, the SOL-M 3 ml syringe will be delivered for adding NaCl to the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty). This syringe is a replacement for the BD 3 ml dilution syringe. Any BD dilution syringes on site can be used up before the SOL-M 3 ml dilution syringe is put into use. While supplies last, the SOL-M 3 ml dilution syringe will be delivered until the end of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
 

The SOL-M 3 ml dilution syringe is equivalent to the BD 3 ml dilution syringe in terms of how it is used. The instructions for preparing the Pfizer vaccine remain unchanged. This message is for information purposes only.

High vaccination coverage also important against Delta variant

As infections involving the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 continue to rise, ECDC and EMA are advocating strongly encouraging people who have not yet been vaccinated to do so now. High vaccination coverage is the most important weapon against COVID-19 infection, including the Delta variant.

Spikevax (Moderna) approved for children aged 12 and older

On Friday 23 July 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna (Spikevax®) was the second to receive a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency for children aged 12 years and older. The vaccine had already been approved for people aged 18 years and older.

Evaluation of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine made by Janssen

The Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has released its findings after reviewing reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine made by Janssen. GBS is a disorder that causes nerve inflammation outside the central nervous system and can result in muscle weakness or paralysis, often accompanied by tactile dysfunction such as numbness or tingling. PRAC recommends adding GBS to the package leaflet for the Janssen vaccine as a new, very rare side-effect, along with a warning for healthcare providers and consumers. It is important that doctors and people who have been vaccinated pay attention to symptoms of GBS, such as double vision or difficulty moving the eyes, difficulty swallowing, chewing or speaking, coordination or balance problems, difficulty walking, a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, muscle weakness in the arms, legs, chest or face, and/or bladder or bowel problems. For more information in Dutch, see the explanation provided by the Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB).

Positive recommendation for Spikevax (Moderna) for 12-17 age group

The Health Council advises that the COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna (Spikevax) should be made available to young people aged 12-17 years who want to be vaccinated. (This is in addition to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.) The vaccine is sufficiently safe and effective. According to the Health Council, vaccinating this group with the Moderna vaccine is acceptable, useful and responsible: it can provide adolescents with direct and indirect health benefits, while at the same time helping to slow down the epidemic.

Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the transmission of the virus to others. This is apparent from RIVM research using data from source and contact tracing by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).

The study was carried out using data from February 2021 to the end of May 2021, when the dominant variant of the coronavirus circulating in the Netherlands was the Alpha variant. Over the next few months, RIVM will be monitoring whether the vaccines also offer protection against transmission of the Delta variant.

Waiting time after Janssen vaccine changes from 2 to 4 weeks

This applies from 14 August 2021, and also applies in the context of access to events. That means that you will get a ‘green tick’ 4 weeks after vaccination with Janssen. This decision by the government is in line with the 122nd OMT opinion of Friday, 30 July.

Earlier second jab for everyone aged 18 years and older

Following the option offered two weeks ago for young people aged 12-17 years to accelerate their second jab, everyone aged 18 years and older is now able to schedule their second COVID-19 vaccination sooner, moving it forward by one week.

Moderna vaccine also used for young people aged 12 and older

Minister De Jonge has decided to follow the advisory opinion of the Health Council on this matter, which was issued on 29 July. Minister De Jonge considers it important that young people and their parents are well informed about the COVID-19 vaccinations. For that reason, the national government is offering accessible, easily understood information on www.coronavaccinatie.nl/jongeren.

Recommendations on 3rd jab and booster vaccination

RIVM is currently working on a basic document regarding elements that play a role in the possible transition to booster vaccination. This document will be discussed by the Health Council on 24 August.

In addition, RIVM is currently consulting with medical specialists to take stock of the immunocompromised patients for whom a third vaccination as part of the basic series may be useful. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) will then decide on the implementation route.

People with impaired immunity (immunocompromised patients) | RIVM.

Do adolescents need a different dose of the COVID vaccine?

No, a vaccine needs to prompt an immune response. This response is determined by the functionality of the immune system, not the amount of active substance administered and its distribution throughout the body (as is the case for other medications).Children from the age of 12 years are therefore eligible for vaccination – regardless of their body weight – according to the schedule indicated by the national government. See also Section 2.3 of the guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination.

Is heterologous vaccination possible with COVID vaccines? In other words, is it possible to carry out a vaccination series with 2 different COVID vaccines?

The current programme only offers the option to continue the series with a vaccination with Comirnaty® after a first vaccination with Vaxzevria®. Research results show that this combination achieves high antibody levels, on the basis of which good protection against infection and disease is expected. For all other combinations, little or no data is available at this time. See also Section 8.1 of the guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination.

Can COVID-19 vaccination take place during immunotherapy treatment for allergies (desensitisation) to e.g. tree pollen, wasps, grass pollen, etc.?

Yes, this is in principle possible. However, in order not to confuse possible adverse events and allergic reactions from immunotherapy with possible adverse events and allergic reactions from the COVID-19 vaccination, an interval of at least 7 days is recommended between immunotherapy and vaccination.

Is a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector (epipen) to treat an anaphylactic reaction a contraindication for COVID-19 vaccination?

No, the indication for an auto-injector is based on the risk of an anaphylactic reaction following exposure to a specific allergen for that patient. A previous anaphylactic reaction to allergens such as nuts, wasps, etc. is not a contraindication for giving a COVID-19 vaccination. It is, however, reason to take precautions and institute a 30-minute observation period after vaccination. See also Section 4.7 of the guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination.

I have had a Sputnik/Sinovac vaccination series, but still want to receive an additional dose of mRNA vaccine, because I don’t trust those foreign vaccines.

According to WHO/EMA guidelines, you are fully vaccinated and a third jab is not necessary.

The implementation guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination 2021 have been updated. The latest version of the implementation guidelines is always available online (in Dutch). Section 1.3 outlines all major changes compared to the previous version; more minor interim changes are listed under Version Management (at the end of the document).

Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb has posted a new update about reports of possible adverse events following immunisation with COVID-19 vaccines which were reviewed by experts up to and including 1 August 2021.

Campaign: Plan your jab

A new radio ad for the Dutch audience urges everyone not to wait, but to schedule an appointment if you want a COVID-19 vaccination.

Interview: are there alternatives to COVID-19 vaccination?

To avoid becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, you can schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. But if you have doubts about vaccination, are there alternatives that can help against illness or even help prevent a coronavirus infection? Internist-infectiologist Chantal Bleeker-Rovers sees various alleged anti-COVID drugs in the media. Which of these have any effect (or no effect) against COVID-19?

Young people

An information page has been created especially for young people and their parents: www.coronavaccinatie.nl/jongeren. Also, young people up to 23 years of age can still go to www.jouwggd.nl to chat with someone from the GGD if they have questions about COVID-19 vaccination.

Video: How do I generate a COVID-19 certificate with the CoronaCheck app?

To go on holiday or go to an event, you need a valid COVID-19 certificate to gain access. In the Netherlands, you have to show this COVID-19 certificate via the CoronaCheck app. But how does that work? How do you enter your vaccination certificate, proof of recovery or negative test result in the app? This video explains how (in Dutch). The Digisterker Foundation has also made a demo with a step-by-step explanation of how to make a COVID-19 certificate.