According to data from the government’s coronadashboard, the proportion of the Dutch population aged 16 and above that is willing to receive the coronavirus vaccine has risen to 90 percent.
The figures for July 13 to July 19 show that so-called vaccination readiness in the Netherlands has risen to 90 percent for the first time since records began. Since September 2020, vaccination readiness amongst all age groups has been steadily rising, and when vaccinations began in January the Dutch government predicted an overall turnout of 85 percent.
The most recent data was gathered via a survey conducted between June 13 and July 19 shows a notable increase in the number of young people (aged 16 to 24) who want to be vaccinated. At the start of June, “only” 76 percent of young adults were willing to be vaccinated. This figure has now risen to 81 percent. The vaccination willingness of other age groups has been relatively stable since the start of June.
This data is significant to the government’s vaccination drive, as everyone aged 12 and above has now been invited to be vaccinated. The National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) believes a successful vaccination campaign amongst young people could play a significant role in preventing a fourth coronavirus wave in the autumn.
So far, over 20 million vaccinations have taken place in the Netherlands. As of July 18, almost eight million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while another four million are partially vaccinated. Health Minister Hugo de Jonge aims to have everyone fully vaccinated by September 1.
The Netherlands continues to have one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 84,3 percent of the population has received at least one jab, giving the Netherlands the third-highest uptake rate in the EU. Iceland is in the lead with 90,7 percent.
While the infection rate remains relatively high, the success of the vaccination campaign is evident in the relatively low number of coronavirus-related hospital admissions and deaths. According to the National Coordination Centre for Patient Distribution (LCPS), there are currently a total of 457 coronavirus patients in hospitals across the Netherlands, and a recent study revealed that at least three-quarters of people who were being treated in hospital last week were not (fully) vaccinated.