People aged 70 years and older living in the Netherlands may receive an invitation for a repeat vaccination against COVID-19 from 26 February 2022 on. They can make an appointment for vaccination by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) via www.coronavaccinatieafspraak.nl or by telephone via 0800-7070. People will be invited when it has been 3 months since their last COVID-19 vaccination.
People over 70 have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from an infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, due to their age. The protection provided by previous vaccinations wears off more quickly for these people. A repeat vaccination helps the body produce more antibodies, restoring immunity to the virus. As a result, they will continue to have effective protection against serious illness due to COVID-19.
Invitation based on latest vaccination date
The invitations will not be sent by age, but by the date of the latest COVID-19 vaccination. When it has been approximately 3 months since the last vaccination, people will receive a letter. The first letters will arrive on 26 February. About 110,000 have been sent in this round. If you tested positive for COVID-19 since your last vaccination, you have to wait 3 months before scheduling an appointment.
If you have a partner who is also eligible for a repeat vaccination against COVID-19, you can make an appointment for your partner at the same time.
Vaccination at home and in nursing homes
People who are unable to travel to a GGD vaccination site on their own or with assistance due to health reasons can contact their GP for vaccination at home. People living in nursing homes or other residential institutions for the elderly will receive the vaccination in the institution.
Other vulnerable people
The repeat vaccination will be offered to people over 70, and to adults with Down’s syndrome and adults with severely impaired immunity. These groups also have a higher risk of serious illness if they are infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Adults with Down’s syndrome will receive the invitation for the repeat vaccination via their GP. They can go to the GGD for their booster vaccination, or will be vaccinated in their residential institution.
People with severely impaired immunity received an invitation for a third primary vaccination in October 2021. For these people, it is important that they get their first booster vaccination now, 3 months after their third primary vaccination. The working group of medical specialists is currently in consultation regarding whether these people will be eligible for a repeat vaccination.
mRNA vaccines
The repeat vaccination will be administered with mRNA vaccines (Moderna or Pfizer). It does not matter which vaccine was received before. It is not possible to choose which vaccine.