close

RIVM to investigate the long-term efficacy of coronavirus vaccines

RIVM to investigate the long-term efficacy of coronavirus vaccines

This month, the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) announced they were carrying out an extensive study into the long-term effectiveness of the various coronavirus vaccines available in the Netherlands

Will vaccines provide long-term protection against coronavirus?

The RIVM’s Corona Vaccination Study (VASCO) aims to investigate the extent to which the vaccines offer long-term protection against COVID-19 in all age groups, and which vaccines are the most effective. The study will also look into whether or not these vaccines provide any protection against different coronavirus variants. 

VASCO will follow the lives of 50.000 18 to 35-year-olds in the Netherlands over the coming five years. The safety and effectiveness of all the vaccines were investigated before they were released onto the market, but limited research was conducted into the effects of the vaccines in risk groups. Therefore, both healthy members of the population and people with pre-existing medical conditions are invited to take part in the study.

Limited information about vaccines and virus

Due to the fact that both the virus and vaccines are (relatively) new, not much is known about how long the vaccine’s protection against coronavirus lasts. Medical experts have, however, suggested that countries across the world may have to start vaccinating the elderly and vulnerable again in the autumn.

Victoria Séveno

Author

Victoria Séveno

Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association...

Read more

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (0)

COMMENTS

Leave a comment