The 25 regional GGDs are faced with a historic task to offer 8.5 million Dutch people a vaccination within a few weeks. A vaccination campaign of this magnitude has never been seen before in our country. All GGDs are bracing for the huge booster campaign to protect against the new omikron variant of the coronavirus.
high voltage
The GGDs now give priority to this monster operation and deploy as many available own people as possible who now perform other tasks. The total capacity of the GGDs for this campaign is to grow from 18,000 to about 27,000 people. In addition to our own people, these are registered reservists, temporary workers, Red Cross employees, HBO and MBO students and Defense employees.
Umbrella organization GGD GHOR Nederland asks for understanding when making an appointment for the booster vaccination does not go smoothly, or when people have to wait a little longer for a suitable location. Patience is important, says the umbrella organization: everyone will have their turn in the coming weeks. The GGD staff have to work under high voltage and do so professionally with great commitment and motivation.
Vaccination locations
Last week, the GGDs put more than 380,000 vaccinations in the group 60 years and older who can come to the vaccination streets. That was more than had been planned according to the plan of attack for the booster offensive (350,000). There are currently 85 vaccination sites operational with 15 more sites to open in the coming month. In addition, there are 40 satellite locations, which are open one or a few days a week. There are also 10 XXL locations that have more than 12 prick lines. GGD GHOR Nederland aims to achieve national coverage. The average travel time to a vaccination site is approximately 12 minutes. If people want an appointment faster, people may have to travel longer for that.
Relieve care
The acceleration of the booster campaign is necessary to reduce the chance that too many people will end up in hospital and intensive care. According to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, it has been shown in the United Kingdom that a booster can help to increase protection against this variant and to prevent the spread. By preventing infections as much as possible, we relieve the burden on care.
Three months
The GGDs hope to complete the booster campaign in the second half of January, in which everyone aged 18 or older was offered a booster vaccination. The new policy is that people who have had a vaccination at least three months ago or who have been infected with corona are eligible for the booster against the omikron variant. Until last week, this term was six months.
Sufficient vaccinations
Sufficient vaccines are available and GGD GHOR Nederland has also asked other organizations to help with this enormous task. Because this requires a national effort, hospitals and general practitioners have been asked to participate in the booster campaign in the coming weeks. The GGDs also continue to make efforts to increase the vaccination rate in our country by administering the first two injections.
Register online
GGD GHOR Nederland asks everyone to register online as much as possible for the booster shot or vaccination. This is to keep the overloaded call centers available as much as possible for people who cannot register online. You can register online at www.coronavaccinatie-afspraak.nl From GGD-site www.uitlegprikafspraak.nl explains how people can make an appointment online.
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