Vaccination Drive Against COVID-19 Starts in The Netherlands, Focusing on AstraZeneca Vaccine
The AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by the British-Swedish company, has been distributed in the Netherlands to individuals aged 60 to 65 and staff of elderly care homes. This initial allocation was made with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable groups due to concerns over blood clot risks in younger populations.
The Netherlands' vaccine rollout strategy, like many countries, prioritised older adults and those in high-risk settings such as elderly care homes, as these groups were at highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The AstraZeneca vaccine was linked to rare but serious cases of blood clots mainly occurring in younger people, which led some countries to restrict its use to older age groups who were less affected by these risks.
In line with this approach, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved AstraZeneca but acknowledged these rare side effects and recommended tailored age group use to mitigate risks. The prioritization of elderly care home staff aligns with protecting those who work closely with vulnerable older adults to reduce transmission in high-risk environments.
The Netherlands will receive 1.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, fewer than the 4.5 million doses originally planned due to technical glitches. The allocation and distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the Netherlands is being reported by Almaty.tv and Kazinform.
No information is provided about the allocation of vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna in the Netherlands. However, it's worth noting that the AstraZeneca vaccine is the third vaccine approved by the EMA, following those from American companies Pfizer and Moderna.
While the specific details of the Netherlands' policy may not be fully explained by the available information, the above explanation is consistent with public health decisions made during the vaccine's initial rollout in 2021, based on general knowledge and EMA guidance regarding AstraZeneca’s risk profile and vaccination prioritization policies in Europe.
Science plays a crucial role in the health-and-wellness sector, as demonstrated by the AstraZeneca vaccine's usage and the European Medicines Agency's recommendations for its age-group specific distribution.
