After much consideration, the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) has invited clinically vulnerable children aged 12 and above to book an appointment to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Anyone who chooses to make an appointment will receive either the Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
Vulnerable young people born between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2009 can book a vaccination appointment from this week. Those who are now being invited to get vaccinated are young people who receive invitations for the flu jab every year and young people with Down syndrome. The RIVM estimates that between 60.000 and 100.000 young people will receive invitations.
Young cancer patients will soon receive the same invitation, and will be vaccinated at the Princess Maxima Centre in Utrecht from mid-July. Young people with obesity or who are eligible for vaccination because they live with a vulnerable adult will also receive their invitation soon.
In inviting young people to be vaccinated, the RIVM is following the advice set out by the Dutch Health Council earlier this month. At-risk 16 to 18-year-olds have already been invited for vaccination.
The RIVM fears that the spread of the new Delta variant in the Netherlands could lead to another coronavirus wave in the autumn, and head of the Centre for National Coordination of Infectious Disease Control (LCI) and member of the Outbreak Management TeamAura Timen says vaccinating young people can help to prevent a significant wave.
The data suggests that, if young people are also vaccinated, the most pessimistic outlook would see the R number hover at around one, whereas if they remain unprotected the R number will likely exceed 1,25. Timen has said that the OMT fully supports the RIVM’s plan to vaccinate 12 to 17-year-olds.