BA.5 variant detected in the Netherlands The BA.5 variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was detected for the first time in the Netherlands this week.
People with impaired immunity invited for repeat vaccination From 19 April on, people who have moderately or severely impaired immunity will receive their invitation for a repeat vaccination against COVID-19.
RIVM recalls fill needles for COVID-19 vaccination at supplier’s request As of today, RIVM is recalling the fill needles made by MLS/Sol-Millenium Europe as a precaution, following a safety alert from the supplier. This applies to the SOL-M™ Blunt Fill Needle (REF 110022, LOT 05103013).
Booster vaccination invitations for care workers Hospitals are already working hard to vaccinate their own care workers.
Stabilisation in newly reported SARS-CoV-2 infections The number of newly reported infections with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 stabilised in the past week*. The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital stabilised, but ICU admissions continued to increase.
Omicron variant found in two previous test samples RIVM has found the Omicron variant in test samples taken in the Netherlands earlier in November. These samples were taken in the GGD test lanes on 19 and 23 November 2021.
Coronavirus variant Omicron found in 13 positive tests so far On 26 November 2021, 624 passengers returning from South Africa were tested for the coronavirus; 61 of them tested positive for COVID-19. Initial results from genome sequencing showed the Omicron variant in 13 of the samples from the positive tests.
People born in 1939 or before invited for COVID-19 booster vaccination As of today, people born in 1939 or before can schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 booster vaccination with the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).
The National Immunisation Programme: the number of disease notifications decreased substantially in 2020 In 2020, fewer people fell ill from a disease against which vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme than in 2019. This is most likely due to coronavirus measures, such as social distancing, handwashing, and travel restrictions.
Upward trend remains steady in all respects In the past week from 16 to 23 November 2021, hospital admissions of new COVID-19 patients rose by 19% compared to the week before. ICU admissions of new COVID-19 patients rose by 26%.