De Jonge: corona vaccine may be available early 2021 | Inland

The vaccines are purchased centrally by the European Commission and are intended for all EU countries. Talks with six vaccine manufacturers were recently concluded positively. Contracts have now been concluded with two companies.

The entire process for the development of the vaccines is, according to the minister, very extensive and careful, because the means must be absolutely safe and effective. The Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) will assess this together with the European medicines agency EMA. The studies also continue during and after the vaccination, including for possible side effects. If this can be mapped out properly and quickly, it can prevent or eliminate possible unrest, says De Jonge.

Roadmap

The minister has drawn up a roadmap for vaccination in the Netherlands. It is voluntary. Because it is not possible to vaccinate everyone at once, this will be done in stages. That depends on availability and whether groups may receive priority. The Health Council will issue an advisory report on this in November, De Jonge reports.

If people are protected against the corona virus through the vaccine, the corona measures can eventually be abolished. In order to be able to return to a society with freedom as before, according to the minister it is important that many people are vaccinated.

Campaign

In order to reach as many people as possible, information about the vaccine must be “widely available, understandable and easy to find.” The cabinet is working with the RIVM on a communication campaign. The minister wants to maintain a dialogue with society, taking into account ’emotions, feelings of tension, worries and uncertainty. Active action will also be taken against disinformation on social media. A team of experts will work on this.

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