New round of COVID-19 vaccines in autumn 2026

On 21 September, a new round of vaccinations for the coronavirus will begin. Appointments can be scheduled from 25 August to 27 November 2026.

COVID-19 vaccination in 2026

The following people are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine:

• 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.

As in recent years, in certain situations it may be decided to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to persons outside these target groups. 

In recent years, the number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths due to coronavirus 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 coronavirus symptoms. See also Risk groups and COVID-19.

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.

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.