People who have had COVID-19 longer than six months ago also only need one vaccination to be protected against COVID-19. Hugo de Jonge, outgoing Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, adopted the advice of the Outbreak Management Team on this topic as of Friday 4 June. This replaces the previous decision which stated that the infection must have been no more than six months before the first vaccination. RIVM implemented this change in its guidelines yesterday (17:00). People who already have an appointment for their first vaccination, or have already been vaccinated once, can cancel the appointment for the second vaccination themselves. The appointment can be cancelled directly through the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD), GP, care institution or hospital.
People who have had COVID-19 before they received their first vaccination will be sufficiently protected after one vaccine dose. There is an exception for people over 80 years old and for people who have a weaker immune system due to underlying health conditions. These groups are advised to continue following the recommendation to get two vaccinations.
This change is prompted by the OMT advisory report indicating that a previous COVID-19 infection induces a broad immune response. That is why a single dose already generates high concentrations of antibodies against the virus.
Control question when making an appointment
When making the vaccination appointment, people are asked whether they tested positive for COVID-19. If they did, then an appointment can be made to get a single jab. People do not have to show proof of a positive test at this point in time, only to declare that they had COVID-19. Always keep the results of a positive test, since they may be requested later.
Cancelling an appointment
This decision means that people under 80 years old who have a healthy immune system and had COVID-19 more than six months ago can cancel the appointment for their second vaccination themselves. The appointment can be cancelled directly through the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD), GP, care institution or hospital.
There is no harm in receiving two vaccinations after having COVID-19. If you are unsure if you had COVID-19, for example because the infection was not confirmed by a positive GGD test, you can get two vaccinations (or the single-dose Janssen vaccine) to be certain.