Kuipers: stopping AstraZeneca under 60 incomprehensible

Ernst Kuipers, chairman of the National Acute Care Network, has no understanding whatsoever the decision to stop vaccinations of AstraZeneca in people under 60. “Incomprehensible,” he said during his weekly press briefing. “And I have not yet spoken to a colleague in the hospital world who thinks otherwise.”

At the end of last week, outgoing minister De Jonge decided that 60-year-olds would receive a different vaccine. He did this to prevent health risks, after urgent advice from the Health Council.

Still vaccinating on a voluntary basis

But Kuipers believes that those risks are disproportionate to the dangers of covid and the current situation in hospitals. “The word crisis is getting jaded, but it is very busy. And the way to get out of the situation is to vaccinate as soon as possible.”

The hospital foreman would therefore consider it wise if De Jonge reconsiders his decision. “I don’t envy him, because these are difficult choices. But at least I think it would be good to make it possible for people under 60 to receive AstraZeneca on a voluntary basis.”

Postpone the second shot

Kuipers, who himself was also vaccinated with AstraZeneca last week in his sixties, has also been urging for a long time to allow more time between the first and second injection, so that as many people as possible are at least much better protected against a corona infection. During his press conference became known that the Health Council advises that this interval can be extended to twelve weeks. That could lead to slightly fewer hospital admissions, according to the Health Council.

In reality, these are considerably fewer recordings, Kuipers corrected. “But let me not make it difficult: this is good news. Although this advice has been delayed for far too long given the great importance of vaccination.”

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