Feeling needled by all the Covid-19 shots you’ve had to get? Well, you may not have to get another jab, as nearly everyone in the Netherlands has now built up sufficient immunity to do without them! 💪
According to an advisory report by the Dutch Outbreak Management Team (OMT) for vaccinations, there is no requirement for a fresh round of vaccinations this spring.
The OMT was asked to compile a report on the desirability of another round of vaccinations due in spring 2023, with input from experts in the fields of epidemiology, vaccinology, virology, and immunology (among many others).
Re-vaccinations may not be necessary
RIVM vaccination studies included in the report have also discovered that antibody levels plateau after a fourth booster.
This entails that further re-vaccinations (such as the bivalent booster due in spring 2023) will likely only have a minimal effect in building up antibodies in an individual that already has stable protection.
Even at-risk groups, such as the immunocompromised and the elderly, have been noted to be experiencing far milder infections.
As such, a general re-vaccination round for even these groups is not advised.
However, the report also makes it clear that re-vaccinating the severely immunocompromised will vary on a patient-to-patient basis, and should be discussed with one’s healthcare provider.
The virus is no longer a pandemic
The report also states that, from an epidemiological perspective, omicron and its sub-variants are no longer a pandemic.
This is because a pandemic refers to an uncontrollable spread of a virus that puts a strain on public healthcare infrastructure.
As the virus and its strains are currently endemic, they are a constant viral presence that is easier to prevent. ðŸ¦
In addition, the advisory report noted that with the high degree of accumulated immunity in the population (via infection, vaccination, or a combination of both) and the milder strains of the new omicron variants, the disease burden would likely remain low.
The House of Representatives will need to assess the report
The OMT’s report will be sent to the House of Representatives for a final decision.
Depending on their decision, the advice outlined in the report will either be followed or disregarded.
What do you think of the OMT’s decision? Tell us all about it in the comments below!