Several of the XL vaccination sites will close their doors this month as there is no longer enough demand for them. This includes the mega locations in Amersfoort, Houten, and Utrecht Jaarbeurs, among others.
The NOS reports that the mega-locations are no longer necessary because 8.7 million people have now been fully vaccinated. A further 3.6 million others have been partially vaccinated.
Maaike Schaap, the vaccination manager for the GGD in Utrecht tells the NOS that “We are seeing a decline in the number of appointments at the XL locations.”
As a result, the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam administered its final shots last week and closed its doors. The last shots will be given at the XL location in Houten today at 8 PM — quite a milestone!
Millions of Dutchies still willing to be vaccinated
According to the GGDs, smaller vaccination centres are being set up for the 3 million Dutchies who have not yet had a shot but are wanting to.
Mobile “vaccine vans” will also begin running in Zaanstreek-Waterland, Zuid-Holland, and Ijselland to increase vaccine uptake.
Vaccinating people where they’re comfortable
Imagine getting vaccinated at church or the cinema? That will soon be possible! According to Schaap, small scale vaccination sites will soon be set up in venues such as community centres, theatres, churches, and gyms.
These will primarily be targeted at people under the age of 35 who have as yet been unwilling to get vaccinated. The GGDs feel that these sites may be easier for people to walk into. Less daunting, perhaps?
Schaap explains that the new policy is to “go more towards the people, instead of bringing them to us” in the hopes of increasing the uptake in areas where willingness to be vaccinated “is not so high.”
What are your thoughts on this new vaccination strategy? Tell us in the comments below!
Feature Image: ColleenMichaels/Depositphotos