The Dutch government has purchased an additional six million Moderna coronavirus vaccines. Combined with the 35 million doses the Netherlands will receive from Pfizer / BioNTech over the course of 2022 and 2023, the government now says it has enough to ensure that everyone who wants a vaccine can get a vaccine. 

Dutch government secures 45 million vaccine doses for 2022 / 2023

Keeping in mind the fact that the long-term efficacy of the vaccines remains unknown and that additional concerning variants could pop up over the coming months, the cabinet has estimated that approximately 61 million vaccine doses will be needed for 2022 and 2023 in order to ensure that everyone over the age of 12 can be vaccinated in the new year.

The EU has already signed a deal with Pfizer / BioNTech for the 2022-2023 period, which is set to provide the Netherlands with over 35 million vaccine doses. The Netherlands will also already receive three million Moderna doses by the end of this year that will be put aside for use in the new year. This new deal will ensure a further six million doses before the start of 2022, guaranteeing the Netherlands almost 45 million doses. Deals have also been secured with Janssen, Novavaz, and Sanofi.

The future of the Netherlands' coronavirus vaccination campaign

“We are preparing to carry out all possible scenarios of the vaccination campaign,” Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said. “With this new purchase, we are taking an important new step: the vaccine requirement for 2022 and part of 2023 has been purchased.” The government has opted to secure vaccines from “reliable suppliers” that are “as adaptable as possible to virus mutations.” 

The Health Council will investigate the most efficient way to protect the people of the Netherlands from coronavirus, and will decide whether or not the government should offer the vaccine to everyone over the age of 12. The Health Council’s advice is expected to be published this autumn.