NIPT available as standard option for all pregnant women from 1 April From 1 April 2023, the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) will be available to all pregnant women. They do not have to take part in a scientific study for this.
COVID-19 less severe due to Omicron variants, vaccinations and previous infections The consequences of infections involving the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are decreasing. This is because nearly everyone in the Netherlands has built up immunity to COVID-19 as a result of vaccination and/or previous infection, and because the current Omicron variants are less likely to cause serious illness.
Young people less likely to contact GP for mental health problems The percentage of young people who report having mental health problems has hardly decreased since the last lockdown (in early 2022).
Home vaccination starts next week for people unable to travel Starting next week, eligible people who are not mobile enough to come to a vaccination site will be vaccinated at home. The GP will vaccinate them using the AstraZeneca vaccine. The vaccines will be delivered in phases per province.
Situation growing worse in the Netherlands In the week from 17 to 23 March, 46,005 people received a positive test result for COVID-19, an increase of 16% compared to the week before that. The reproduction number continued to rise, from 1.06 on 1 March to 1.11 on 8 March.
Vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine will start again The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has decided to resume vaccinating with the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca within the near future.
Effects of COVID-19 vaccination increasingly visible among nursing home residents The downward trend in infections among nursing home residents in the Netherlands is continuing.
Medical high-risk groups invited for vaccination starting this week Five groups of patients with specific medical risks will receive an invitation for COVID-19 vaccination this week or next week. It involves four groups of patients with impaired immune systems.
Vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine temporarily on hold The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has decided to temporarily stop vaccinating with the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca, effective immediately.
Number of positive COVID-19 tests at the same level as last week In the week from 2 to 9 March, 31,959 people received a positive test result for COVID-19, about the same as in the week before that. More than 360,000 people were tested, an increase of nearly 14% compared to the week before that.