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Learning Dutch for the first time: How Dutch is ruining my German

Marion Boigner
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9
Learning Dutch for the first time: How Dutch is ruining my German

When I was younger I really loved the English language and I thought it was super cool to be able to speak a foreign language fluently.

One of my goals was to be able to speak English at a high level and speak it a lot during my everyday life. So, I studied English and went abroad to speak it as much as possible. My track brought me to Finland and there I met my Dutch boyfriend. Since we both didn’t share the same language, we spoke English with each other — four years later we still do. I achieved my teenage goal of speaking English every single day.

Over the time I noticed that it didn’t take me a lot of effort to learn a language, and since I came back home from my exchange with a Dutch boyfriend I considered it a necessity to learn his language. So, two years ago I started learning Dutch, a language that has never been on my list of foreign languages I still want to learn, but I enjoyed it. The actual language learning process started once I started living in the Netherlands.

READ MORE | How to learn Dutch: the ultimate guide (by people who learned!)

I moved here in July and started working as a German teacher in a Dutch school, so I was simply forced to speak and hear Dutch all day. There was no space for fears of sounding stupid or struggling with words while talking. The first couple of weeks was a lot of concentration and every evening I had the feeling that my brain was exploding. After half a year it started to feel natural to go to work and speak Dutch — not saying flawlessly. I learn a lot from my Dutch students and we help each other learning each other’s languages.

But one funny phenomenon I noticed quite soon. When Skyping with my parents, my mom regularly said that my intonation sounds weird, especially the way I say “No”. Often, I got to hear that I used the wrong preposition in German or that this is really not the way you can say things in German. Hearing wrong German all day in school also doesn’t help and I came to realise that I start forgetting words in German. Not really, but at the very moment, I could say the word in English or Dutch but not German. I blame it on the little amount I actually speak my own mother tongue.

I wanted a life full of English, which I got and additionally, I also got a life full of Dutch. So, just for fun, I figured that I start writing down the mistakes I made. Below you’ll find a list of things I said which are incorrect, how they should be in Austrian German (can’t speak for German German) and what the Dutch equivalent is:

Dutch, German, and English

What I saidCorrect AustrianDutchEnglish

Was denkst du davon?

Was hältst du davon?

Wat denk je daarvan?

What do you think of it?

Gehen wir eine frische Nase schnappen?

Gehen wir frische Luft schnappen?

Gaan we een frisse neus halen?

Shall we get some fresh air?

Neeeee

Nein

Nee

No

Ich bin morgen frei.

Ich habe morgen frei.

Morgen ben ik vrij.

I’m off tomorrow.

Auf der Arbeit…

In der Arbeit…

Op mijn werk…

At work…

Was sagtest du?

Wie bitte?

Wat zei je?

What did you say?

Schönes Wochenende! – Du auch!

Schönes Wochenende! – Dir auch!

Fijn weekend! – Jij ook!

Have a nice weekend! – You too!

Ich weiß nicht, ob wir das können machen.

Ich weiß nicht, ob wir das machen können.

Ik weet niet, of wij dat kunnen doen.

I don’t know, if we can do that.

These are just a few and I must admit every week I can add a few more expressions to the list. But especially that makes me more aware of how complex language development is. To reach the top of confusion my boyfriend and I still mainly speak English with each other, in between we use Dutch terms and to round it up we sprinkle a bit of German on top.

My love for languages led me to live a life not speaking one language properly anymore. My mother tongue degenerates, my Dutch won’t ever be on a native level and my English starts to mingle with Dutch/German. But…

…macht nichts aus! – Das macht doch nichts! – Maakt niet uit! (That doesn’t matter!)

I’m curious to read about your experiences and in which way your language(s) change(s). Drop your experiences learning Dutch for the first time in the comments below!

Feature Image: Gabby K/Pexels
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2019, but was fully updated in May 2021 for your reading pleasure.

Rewards for injections? This may change Dutch attitudes towards the coronavirus vaccine

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
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2
Rewards for injections? This may change Dutch attitudes towards the coronavirus vaccine

It’s been the word on everybody’s lips for the past few months — vaccines. With hundreds of people queuing for leftover vaccines, you would get the impression that everyone is raring for the shot. However, that is not quite the case in the Netherlands.

In general, the Dutch seem to put their faith in vaccinations. Yet, the ever-changing policy has created confusion over the safety and effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines. For example, many Dutchies have opted not to take up their appointments for the AstraZeneca jab.

A recent study found that more than a quarter of EU citizens say they don’t want to be vaccinated against coronavirus. In the Netherlands, this number is even higher, with 31% of respondents saying no to the vaccine, reports the NOS.

Interestingly, the uptake of vaccines is lower in countries where their main sources of news are via social media. But what can a country do to increase vaccine uptake? Some states have taken an innovative approach to encourage people to roll up their sleeves.

Who wants the vaccine?

According to research conducted by Eurofund, around 65% of Dutchies are broadly in favour of getting their shots. This is the percentage of participants who said they were either “very likely” or “rather likely” to get the vaccine. That may sound like a high percentage, but 75% of a population needs to have antibodies to achieve herd immunity. The most surefire way to achieve this percentage is through mass vaccination.

So this begs the question, how can the Netherlands get more people interested in being inoculated? Well, they could follow the USA’s footsteps and offer rewards for getting your jabs.

Food and cash rewards

The US has tackled this issue in the most American way — by offering free stuff. New Jersey state is offering everyone who gets a vaccine a free beer in their “shot and a beer” programme. Similar schemes are running in Washington DC and Connecticut reports de Volkskrant. We could see this being popular with a lot of Dutchies, due to the national love of beer. 🍻

Dutch-people-cheersing-with-a-beer
Calm your fear of needles with a pint? Image: ELEVATE/Pexels

That may already sound like a pretty good deal, but some US states have taken it further, giving people cash rewards. The city of Detroit is offering $50 to anyone who brings someone else to a vaccination site, whereas West Virginia is offering residents between the ages of 16 and 25 a whopping $100 for getting the injection.

Ohio is going even further, offering anyone who gets a vaccine in the next five weeks a chance to enter a prize draw of $1 million, according to RTL Nieuws. (Hold my hat while I try to become a US citizen 🇺🇸 ).

Would this tactic work in the Netherlands?

All joking aside, this is an interesting way to tackle the low uptake on vaccines. At present, the demand for vaccines in the Netherlands still outweighs the current rate of inoculation. Andrea Evers, professor of health psychology at Leiden University, tells de Volkskrant that rewards could be effectively used in the Netherlands.

She suggests it would be most effective at persuading people who sit on the fence when it comes to getting vaccinated rather than people who strongly disagree with the vaccine. “There is a much larger group of people who are not that interested in the vaccine, who have other things on their mind, or who are just a little lazy. You do want to persuade them to come.”

It does, however, bring up a few ethical issues. Will offering money compromise people’s incentives for getting vaccinated? Probably for some people. But do incentives for getting the vaccine matter if it helps achieve the desired outcome of herd immunity? It depends if you value intentions and personal choice over general public health. There seem to be fewer ethical qualms when non-cash rewards are offered, I suppose it looks less like you are paying people to get vaccinated.

As it stands, most people in the Netherlands seem to be up for the vaccine, and the rollout is picking up speed. We are not yet at the stage where we need to offer rewards to keep on top of the Dutch vaccination strategy, but it could be a good move to encourage those who are still sceptical. It could be a small price to pay for herd immunity. After all, who’s going to say no to a free beer. 😂

What do you think about being rewarded for getting vaccinated? Would it change your mind about getting the jab? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Gustavo Fring/Pexels 

You have to pay: Netherlands against free PCR tests when travelling

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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4
You have to pay: Netherlands against free PCR tests when travelling

As part of the aim to see travel between EU countries resume this summer, the EU Commission has proposed that compulsory PCR tests before travel should be free. But don’t get too excited, the Netherlands is not in favour.

With holiday travel becoming possible again on May 15, many unvaccinated people will be required to take a PCR test before hopping on a plane and hitting the beaches. A commercial PCR test will oftentimes set you back over €100.

Take all this into account and the Netherlands’ decision certainly seems out of character for the bargain-hunting Dutch — but when a company’s profits are at stake, it’s a different story.

Not profitable

Rasmus Emmelkamp, ​​director of Spoedtest.nl, tells radio station BNR that a free test is not profitable for commercial testers. “Such a test is already quite expensive. After it has been taken, it must be transported to a laboratory and we must secure the data” he explains. “We are in favor of the cheapest possible test, but as far as we are concerned, if it is free — it’s unattainable.”

No power to veto

As a result, the Netherlands is against the EU Commission’s proposal. However, if the majority of EU member states votes in favour of this proposal, the Netherlands will be obliged to follow suit.

This means that the Netherlands would either have to subsidise commercial testing, or, the GGD — which carries out free testing — will have to register their tests with a name. Currently, GGD tests do not have a specific name and therefore are not valid for use when it comes to using the result as a ticket to travel.

GroenLinks MEP, Tineke Strik, is in favour of using GGD tests for travel. “On the market, a test is easily €100, so it can really be a barrier, especially if you have to travel with a family and have a test done more often,” she tells the NOS Radio 1 Journaal.

What are your thoughts on the Netherlands’ stance? Tell us in the comments below!

Image: ŠGeber86/Canva.com

Fall asleep in Amsterdam, wake up in Vienna: new night train coming to the Netherlands

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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7
Fall asleep in Amsterdam, wake up in Vienna: new night train coming to the Netherlands

Fancy eating a slice of Sachertorte in Vienna or strolling through the streets of Innsbruck with the snow-covered Alps in the background? Luckily for us, this dream could come true sooner rather than later. From May 25, travellers from Amsterdam will be able to hop on a night train that takes them directly to Munich and Innsbruck or Vienna. 

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) introduced the plan for this railway connection back in 2019. The trains already started running at the end of last year, however, the official launch was postponed due to coronavirus — until now.

READ MORE | This new Dutch train lets you sleep your way from Amsterdam to Berlin or Prague

On the eve of May 24, the very first train with passengers will depart from Austria and is expected to arrive in Amsterdam at 10 AM the next morning. On Tuesday, May 25, travellers can then board the train departing from Amsterdam.

Climate-friendly alternative

“With the comeback of the Nightjets, we are bringing Europe a little closer together again,” says the ÖBB boss, Andreas Matthä. 

The night trains also represent an environmentally friendly alternative to travelling by plane. “Any traveller who chooses the night train instead of the plane to Amsterdam saves the environment 350 kilograms of CO2 emissions per the direction of travel,” adds Matthä. 

Fewer passengers on board for now

Due to the current coronavirus restrictions, fewer passengers are currently allowed to stay in one cabin. While there are sitting and sleeping cabins available for six people, only four people at a time can share one at the moment. 

There’s also an option to book a private cabin for €220. For this price, a maximum of three adults and three children can board the train. 

Discovering European gems

The trains will be departing from Amsterdam Centraal every evening at 7:30 PM. They will stop in various cities along the way including Utrecht, Arnhem, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Nuremberg on the way. 

While the train to Innsbruck then travels through Munich, the one to Vienna goes through Regensburg and Linz. Both trains arrive at their final destinations shortly after 9 AM — giving you the whole day to start exploring the city. 

The sleeper trains to Austria are another step towards reconnecting Europe. Trains are already running between Amsterdam and London. Even more night trains are planned to connect the capital of the Netherlands with Prague, Zurich, and locations in Scandinavia. 

Will you be traveling to Vienna or Innsbruck on this new sleeper train? Let us know in the comments below!

Feture Image: Pixabay/Pexels

Grab a jab: Hundreds queue outside Dutch GPs to receive leftover vaccines

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
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0
Grab a jab: Hundreds queue outside Dutch GPs to receive leftover vaccines

Since the launch of the Prullenbakvaccin.nl, a website that alerts people to leftover vaccines in their area, vaccine hopefuls can be found queueing outside many GPs. This is the case today in Gouda where about one hundred people are queueing outside of the Ruting Ybema practice in the hopes of receiving a coronavirus vaccine.

Dutchies seem keen to get the vaccine, some driving over an hour to get to a practice with leftover doses. EditieNL spoke to two willing guineapigs who travelled to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. “I think we will get a second injection in about ten weeks. That can be done by this doctor, but also elsewhere. We are both from Delft, so we will probably go there.”

More demand than vaccines

The website Prullenbakvaccin.nl launched earlier this week. It was set up by Dutch doctors who were frustrated at having to throw away coronavirus vaccines due to a lack of appointment take up.

Since the site launched, it has received over a million hits per day. At peak times it receives 70,000 hits per hour, reports RTL Nieuws. According to the co-founder of the website, GP Marco Blanke, the queues at Gouda are a positive sign. “It illustrates how many people want a vaccine,” he adds. “The tricky thing is that there is more demand than residual vaccines.”

At the beginning of the week, the site listed all of the practices with excess vaccines, but Blanke said that Prullenbakvaccin.nl had to remove some of this data due to the high demand. However, he has said he is not worried by the huge uptake from the website. “The more practices are added, the more vaccines are available and the wider the spread.”

What do you think about queueing for leftover vaccines? Do you think this is a good way to tackle wastage? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: freestock/Pexels

Vacations possible from Saturday, OMT advises against relaxations

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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0
Vacations possible from Saturday, OMT advises against relaxations

It will soon be possible to once again hop on a plane and jet off for a summer holiday. As of this Saturday, May 15, travel advice will be given per country (instead of the entire EU). Some countries will be deemed safe enough for summer tourists.

However, it’s not all sunshine and the smell of sunscreen. Dutch Minister for Health Hugo De Jonge, warned in last night’s press conference that while some countries may currently be classed as low risk, this status is subject to change.

Code orange vs. code yellow

Currently, the entire world has been determined a code orange risk. This means that the risk of contracting coronavirus while travelling is high. Those who travel between code orange countries should only do so because it is necessary (for example, you are attending a funeral.)

However, if certain countries are reverted to code yellow status on Saturday, then the rules are more relaxed. If a country is determined to be a code yellow risk then it is safe enough for tourists to travel there (at their own risk and provided they follow coronavirus measures.)

Do other countries want the Dutch?

However, while the Dutch may determine a certain country to be code yellow, that does not mean that the Dutch are welcome. Other countries may deem the Netherlands to be a high risk country — meaning no Dutchies allowed.

Other countries wouldn’t be blamed for making this decision. According to the latest statistics from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, a large part of the Netherlands is considered high risk in terms of the number of coronavirus infections.

Testing and quarantine

On top of this, a holiday vacay will most likely still involve PCR testing and mandatory quarantine. For example, tourists will have to quarantine for 14 days if they wish to travel to Portugal, RTL Nieuws reports. The measures differ per country, but don’t act surprised if your idyllic holiday abroad involves face masks, rapid testing and quarantine periods.

OMT advises against expected relaxations

Last night also saw Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister for Health Hugo de Jonge make some promising remarks, namely that the Netherlands will see some large relaxations next week IF hospitalisations go down.

Amongst the expected relaxations are the reopening of gyms, zoos and theatres under certain conditions as well as the extension of opening hours for terraces and return to work for contact professionals.

According to the latest advisory report from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), these relaxations are risky. The report says that if the Dutch government moves too quickly with the relaxation of coronavirus measures, reversing the damage will be “next to impossible,” the NOS reports.

The OMT fears that the Dutch cabinet may be hoping for too much too soon and in the process, they may destroy the possibility of a summer with eased measures.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming relaxations? Tell us in the comments below!

Featured Image: Haley Phelps/Unsplash

Pfizer uses Netherlands to shield billions in profits from tax

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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2
Pfizer uses Netherlands to shield billions in profits from tax

Pfizer has become a household name in the past year and is generating a nice chunk of money as a result — even more, considering the company is avoiding paying millions in tax.

By diverting the majority of its profits through tax havens like the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Ireland, Pfizer’s billions in profits remain largely tax-free.

The investigative journalism platform Follow the Money (FTM) published the findings, arguing that despite coronavirus vaccine research being paid for with tax dollars, Pfizer escapes the clutches of the tax office in multiple countries.

Tax money goes in but doesn’t come out

The company is expected to have 21 billion euros in sales this year thanks to the coronavirus vaccine it created with the German company BioNTech. FTM reports Pfizer says the profit margin to be “high in the twenties” — if the profit margin is just 25%, the company stands to make 5.2 billion euros.

“A lot of money has always been spent on the pharmaceutical industry, and that will now be a lot more,” Vincent Kiezebrink of the Foundation for Research on Multinational Enterprises (SOMO), an independent research group, tells FTM. “Those companies will only become more powerful. And while a lot of public money goes to the development of medicines, this industry makes extensive use of tax havens.”

READ MORE | The Netherlands is a top-three tax haven for multinationals and the super-rich

Pfizer’s annual reports confirm the same: in 2019, it mentions an “effective tax rate” of 13.5%, or around $2 billion USD. However, that’s only in the company’s home country: despite holding an office in the Netherlands with 220 employees, the company pays nothing according to the annual report:

“In accordance with Dutch tax law, CPPI CV is considered transparent for Dutch tax purposes and is therefore not subject to Dutch corporate tax or dividend withholding tax,” the report states.

READ MORE | Shell admits to not paying corporate income tax: Is the Netherlands a tax haven for multinational corporations?

The company says in a response to FTM that Pfizer does business in more than 150 countries around the world. “At all times, and wherever we operate, Pfizer complies with all accounting and tax laws and pays all taxes due.”

Do you think the Netherlands should continue to act as a tax haven for companies? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: US DoD/Lisa Ferdinando/Flickr/CC2.0

Press conference: many more relaxations by May 19 IF hospital numbers decrease

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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1
Press conference: many more relaxations by May 19 IF hospital numbers decrease

Over the past two weeks, the Netherlands has enjoyed a number of relaxations. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister for Health Hugo De Jonge have addressed whether the country will relax its coronavirus measures further.

The cabinet had hoped to enter step two of their five-step plan to relaxing measures today. However, this will not happen just yet. This delay in the government’s plan was expected. News outlets have reported throughout the week that we are not likely to see any further easing for now.

However, according to sources in The Hague, it was speculated that the Dutch cabinet will go ahead with some further relaxations next Wednesday, May 19. Rutte has confirmed these relaxations but on one condition.

Next round of relaxations postponed until May 19

During the previous press conference, the Dutch government introduced a five-step plan to gradually reopen the country. On April 28, many terraces opened between 12 and 6 PM, third level education began the process of welcoming students back into the classroom, and we waved goodbye to curfew and shopping appointments.

The prime minister explained that according to advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), the cabinet should only go ahead with step two of relaxations if there are 20% fewer infections in Dutch hospitals. However, the government believes this will be achieved by next week.

As a result, the government will now push back the second step by a week to May 19, with the intention of allowing gyms, zoos, amusement parks, and music schools to reopen. However, the relaxations do not end there.

Extended opening hours for terraces

From Wednesday, May 19, terraces will have extended opening hours. They will be allowed to remain open between 6 AM and 8 PM.

Terraces of sports clubs will also be allowed to open once again as long as they abide by measures.

Contact professions allowed again

Next week will also bring good news for non-medical contact professionals. The next round of relaxations will also allow all contact professionals, including sex workers, to return to work.

Sport facilities open for over 27s

In line with gyms reopening, people over 27 will now be able to sport again in a group outside. However, there are a number of conditions that remain. A max of 30 people will be allowed to take part in outdoor activities and no audiences will be allowed.

Indoor areas of gyms will also reopen. People will have to book appointments in advance and socially distance. A maximum of two people can book together and pools will only allow one or two people at a time.

Cultural and entertainment sector

The cultural sector will also see some relaxations. Open air concerts, theatres, and dance/music schools can reopen once again, participants will have to register.

Zoos and theme parks may also open their outdoor facilities with a maximum of two visitors above the age of 12 per booking (those under 12 will not be capped.)

No more social distancing in schools?

In the education sector, the government is considering removing the 1.5-meter social distance measure. However, a decision has not yet been made on this. It’s expected on May 25.

Dependant on infection numbers

However, should infection numbers begin to rise again, the cabinet will implement what they are calling the “emergency brake option.” It is not yet known exactly what this option entails, but the cabinet hopes to have it ready and waiting by next Monday.

The government will now keep a close eye on the number of coronavirus infections and hospital admissions within the next week. This week, the RIVM reported 47,108 new infections a slight drop from the previous week’s 52,987.

On Monday, if the hospital numbers have dropped by at least 20%, the Netherlands will see these relaxations come into play. However, if not, the emergency break option will be implemented. But Rutte also added that if it’s 19% they might just relax too, it’s the hospital admissions trend that matters.

De Jonge: book your holidays, but careful

From May 15, colour codes will be used once again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to denote the risk status of different countries. Code red denotes high risk, code orange denotes moderate risk (but people may travel if necessary), and code yellow will denote that the risk is low (meaning people may holiday here.)

However, De Jonge warns that those who want to book holidays to code yellow countries should bear in mind that these codes may change by the time their holiday comes around. He also points out that for some countries, the Netherlands may be classed as high risk, meaning that quarantine would still be mandatory.

In June, De Jonge has confirmed that the Netherlands will bring in the “EU digital green certificate” which can be used to indicate if a person is safe to travel (due to either having been vaccinated or having previously had coronavirus.)

If everything goes to plan, on June 2, the Dutch cabinet will then move on to step three of their five-step roadmap to relaxation.

What are your thoughts on the relaxations? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Smiley.toerist/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0 / screenshot pressconference May 11

Weekly update: numbers drop, vaccinations are going up (but will it be enough to relax?)

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
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0
Weekly update: numbers drop, vaccinations are going up (but will it be enough to relax?)

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from May 5 to May 11. The number of infections has dropped compared to the previous week.

Over the past week, the RIVM reported 47,108 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a decrease compared to the previous week’s number of 52,987 new infections. The percentage of positive tests went up to 12.3% compared to 11.7% the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from COVID-19-related complications has gone up. This week 164 people passed away, compared to 128 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Hospitalisations, as well as the number of admissions to the ICU, have decreased slightly. The past week saw 1,379 new admissions to the nursing ward and 304 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,763 and 388 respectively.

Possible relaxations after May 18

The Dutch cabinet was initially hoping to introduce step two of the five-step plan to ending restrictions on May 11. Despite the drop in coronavirus infections, this set of relaxations was postponed, with the intention of allowing gyms, zoos, amusement parks, and music schools to reopen a week later — after May 18.

Now, the government wants to closely observe the number of coronavirus infections and hospital admissions over the course of the next few days before introducing these relaxations.

An official decision about what happens after May 18 will be made next Monday, according to the NOS. Mark Rutte will announce this week’s course of action in a press conference tonight.

Action to prevent vaccine wastage

Many were frustrated at the news that Dutch GPs were forced to throw away coronavirus vaccines due no-shows during appointment slots. In response to this, doctors have set up a website that allows for their redistribution. People can use the website to find GPs with leftover vaccines in their area.

The Ministry of Health has said that this website is a thoughtful idea but “not sensible” and maintains that vaccines should be distributed in line with the RIVM’s advice. Currently, the ministry is aiming to administer 2.5 million doses of coronavirus vaccines every week from the end of May onwards.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and coronavirus updates.

Feature Image: Steven Cornfiled/Unsplash

Dutch doctors set up a way to prevent the wastage of coronavirus vaccines

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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3
Dutch doctors set up a way to prevent the wastage of coronavirus vaccines

After people were outraged by the news that Dutch GPs were throwing away coronavirus vaccines, doctors have come up with a solution. Dutch general practitioners and institutions with leftover coronavirus vaccines can now redistribute them via a website that went live yesterday.

People who want to be vaccinated but haven’t yet received an official invite from the RIVM can search on prullenbakvaccin.nl. The website will direct them to a provider with any leftover vaccines within 20 kilometres of their residence, reports the NOS. 

The website was set up by Amsterdam UMC surgeon Marlies Schijven, a GP in training Bernard Leenstra and a software developer Anees Saban. The main goal of prullebakvaccin.nl is to prevent coronavirus vaccines from being binned. This way they can offer leftover vaccines to those who want to get a shot.  

“If I don’t have to throw away any more vaccines thanks to this initiative, that would be great. I’ve seen terribly sick people here and it just hurts when you have to throw away vaccines,” says Leenstra.

Creating own guidelines

There are official guidelines on what to do with residual vaccines, but these haven’t always been clear. Therefore, GGDs and GPs started to set up their own systems to avoid vaccine waste whether or not these were in line with the official guidelines. 

One topic of debate was the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was paused in the Netherlands for people under 60. According to the Royal Dutch Medical Association, individuals under the age of 60 can be vaccinated by AstraZeneca under strict conditions — especially when it concerns preventing waste. 

“I think it’s ridiculous to refuse to give this vaccine to people under 60. It is my job to provide good information about the extremely rare side effects. All that uncertainty shouldn’t have been necessary,” argues Leenstra. 

Ministry of Health doesn’t approve

The Dutch Ministry of Health thinks that the idea is thoughtful but “not sensible.” It maintains that vaccine distribution should be determined by the RIVM. 

Doctors with leftover vaccines should, in theory, be able to redistribute leftover vaccines via “vaccination brokers” who follow the national vaccination strategy. This means the most vulnerable and the elderly should be the first to be offered leftover vaccines. 

Using up leftovers

However, the goal of prullebakvaccin.nl is not to vaccinate based on the groups determined by the ministry. “We use up leftovers. Those are always there and cannot always go to the group whose turn it is according to the ministry,” says Marco Blanker —  a GP who was forced to bin 60 doses of the vaccine last month. 

He adds that what this initiative does is “not in conflict but rather supports the policy of the ministry, in the sense that we prevent even one dose from being thrown away.”

What do you think of this initiative? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Braňo/Unsplash

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