Unvaccinated people not to blame for Covid lockdown, health minister says

[ad_1]

People who have chosen not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 should not be directly blamed for the current record number of coronavirus infections and hospitalizations for Covid-19, and the restrictions placed on Dutch society as a result , said Health Minister Hugo de Jonge. He also noted that if the vaccination rate were higher, the current reality might be different. This is also the reason why Cabinet approved the scaling up to provide quicker booster shots.

“I will not say that the current situation is the fault of the unvaccinated,” he said at a press conference to announce new measures affecting many facets of life in the Netherlands. “If everyone were vaccinated, we wouldn’t be facing the current problems, which means we now need to take such strong action that would not have been so necessary if everyone had been vaccinated.”

De Jonge said he understands it takes time for people to get over the doubt and feel comfortable with the idea of ​​getting the vaccine. The government will continue to reach out to community groups and target neighborhoods to get more people to receive a jab.

The unvaccinated enter the hospital too quickly. We thought it would be spread over a longer period. This does not happen, “Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.” There are also people vaccinated in hospital, but usually only if they already have other conditions. We are not talking about guilt, and vaccination remains a choice. It is true that if you do not get the vaccine, you are simply much, much more likely to end up in the hospital. “

He added: “I would prefer to vaccinate people myself, but you need training for that.”

“By the end of this winter, everyone will likely be protected, either through vaccination or contracting the virus. Hopefully people get over the doubts before the virus hits them,” De Jonge said.

Cabinet said on Friday it wanted as many seniors as possible to receive a booster before the end of the year. The Department of Defense will contribute 750 people, including students, to help achieve this goal.

“The recall campaign is gaining momentum,” De Jonge said. A large part of people over 80 have already contacted the GGD to make an appointment, the first pictures being given this week. Additional injections have already been given to people with severe immune disorders and some healthcare workers. Seniors who cannot leave their homes will start receiving reminders next week, as will adults with Down’s Syndrome living at home.

People living at home are invited by age. Currently, all people born in 1939 or before have been invited by the GGD. Once everyone over 60 has had access to a booster, those under 60 will begin receiving their invitation to do the same.

[ad_2]