Vaccination with AstraZeneca will continue for people aged 60 years and older; the vaccine is still very necessary for that target group. The decision to stop vaccinating with AstraZeneca for people under 60 years old has a direct impact on five groups. This involves people at higher risk for medical reasons who are unable to travel, people with Down’s syndrome and people with morbid obesity, employees working in long-term care, employees and clients in mental healthcare institutions, and hospital employees who have direct contact with patients. These under-60s already had an appointment to get vaccinated, or would have received the invitation very soon. Over the course of this week and next week, they will receive an invitation to be vaccinated with a different vaccine.
People at higher risk for medical reasons who are unable to travel
This applies to people with neurological disorders accompanied by respiratory impairment, such as ALS or Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They will be vaccinated at home. In the next few weeks, they will be vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna. Vaccinations for this group will be implemented via thuisvaccinatie.nl as ordered by RIVM. The selection and invitation process will take place via their own medical specialists. This involves about 700-1,000 people.
People with Down’s syndrome and people with morbid obesity (BMI >40)
These people were supposed to be vaccinated by their GP. They will receive an invitation this week to make an appointment with the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD). They will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine from the GGD. As soon as these people receive their invitation, they can make an appointment themselves. This involves about 17,600 people.
Employees under 60 years old working in long-term care
The vaccination appointment was cancelled for 23,000 people in this group. They will be contacted by the GGD again starting this weekend to schedule a new appointment. These care workers will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. An unknown number of care workers have not yet scheduled an appointment.
Intended deployment of Janssen vaccine: employees and clients in intramural mental healthcare institutions and care workers in hospitals who have direct contact with patients
About 35,000 residents and employees in intramural mental healthcare institutions are still waiting for a vaccination. In hospitals, about 35,000 additional employees who have direct contact with patients will also be vaccinated. The intention is for both groups to receive vaccines from the first delivery from Janssen. In view of the current developments, during which Janssen has temporarily halted deliveries in Europe, it is not clear at this time when it will be possible to start vaccinating with the Janssen vaccine. We will be keeping a close watch on all developments regarding the Janssen vaccine and are awaiting the opinions of experts and the subsequent decision.