Frequently asked questions

At some GGD vaccination centres, you can get vaccinated against coronavirus without an appointment. That includes both permanent and temporary/mobile centres.

Injection without an appointment is possible for all people 12 years and older and for all corona jabs with the exception of Janssen and Novavax vaccines.

If you already made an appointment, but you’d rather drop in without an appointment, that is possible. Please make sure you cancel your scheduled appointment first. That way we can prevent vaccines going to waste.

Vaccination against coronavirus is always free and voluntary.

You cannot choose a vaccine yourself. In the Netherlands, the vaccines made by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer are currently being used as standard. Would you prefer the Janssen vaccine? Please first contact the local GGD to ask whether they have the Janssen vaccine in stock. Which vaccine you receive for your first shot will depend on where get vaccinated. The second shot will usually be the same vaccine as the first shot. People with a serious immune disorder who have been invited for a third shot by their medical specialist will always receive an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or BioNTech/Pfizer). This is regardless of the vaccine they were given for their first and second shots.

Of course, you can also make an appointment for your coronavirus vaccination. Make an appointment online at coronavaccinatie-afspraak.nl or by telephone via the number stated in the invitation letter. This also applies to people who have been invited by the medical specialist for a third or fourth injection.

If you would prefer the Janssen or Novavax vaccine, we recommend that you contact your local GGD first to ask whether they have the Janssen or Novavax vaccine in stock.

If you are coming to get your first shot without an appointment, please bring the following:

• Proof of ID including your BSN number (e.g., passport, identity card or driver's license)
• A face mask
• You will get the shot in your upper arm, so wear clothing that makes this easy
• Invitation from your medical specialist if you are coming for a third shot

Come on your own unless it is really necessary. If you cannot come to the vaccination centre alone, you can bring one other person. If you are a wheelchair user for example. Young people aged below 18 may come with a parent or guardian.

The whole process, from the intake to getting the shot, normally takes half an hour. That includes a 15-minute waiting time after your vaccination. Occasionally, it may take a bit longer if there are many people at the vaccination centre. Remember that you will need to complete a questionnaire about your health.

The vaccination centres that you can go to without an appointment include both permanent and temporary/mobile locations.

Not all mobile locations have parking facilities or are fully accessible for disabled persons. Do you need assistance? Please inquire whether this is possible in advance. All permanent vaccination centres offer these facilities.

We have listed most of the aspects that people are unsure about.

When you come for your first shot, we’ll also make an appointment for your second shot for you. The date for your second shot will depend on which vaccine you are given and your age.

Yes. Vaccination without an appointment is also possible for the second shot. If you already made an appointment but you’d rather drop in without an appointment, you can do that but you need to cancel your scheduled appointment. That way we can prevent vaccines going to waste. For the second shot, it is important that you wait the correct number of weeks between the first shot and the second shot. The date for your second shot will depend on which vaccine you are given and your age.

Moderna: second shot 28 days after the first shot.

BioNTech/Pfizer: second shot 28 days after the first shot. For young people aged 12 to 17, there is a minimum of 21 days between the two shots.

AstraZeneca: If you received AstraZeneca as your first shot, you will receive the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine if you get your second shot without an appointment.

Please note: for young people aged below 12 you need to make an appointment via coronavaccinatie-afspraak.nl.

There is a number of places where you can get a booster shot. Check whether this is already possible in your area and otherwise simply make an appointment via coronavaccinatie-afspraak.nl.

At the moment you can get a booster vaccination if you are 12 years or older. You can get the booster vaccination 3 months after your last vaccination or corona infection.

Yes. You can get your fourth shot without an appointment. If you already made an appointment but you’d rather drop in without an appointment, you can do that but you need to cancel your scheduled appointment. That way we can prevent vaccines going to waste.

The repeat booster against corona is for people from 60 years old, residents of nursing homes, certain people with an immune disorder and people with Down syndrome. For these people, protection against serious illness from COVID-19 decreases more quickly. With a repeat booster, they remain well protected against serious illness from the coronavirus. This is also necessary in view of the current trend in the number of infections. Vulnerable groups are at greater risk of serious illness and hospitalization.

If the GGD has provided the vaccination, they will register when and where you were vaccinated and which vaccine you got. When you are fully vaccinated, these details can be converted into a vaccination certificate using the CoronaCheck app. You do not need to share the details about your GGD vaccination with the RIVM for this. If you share your details with the RIVM, the RIVM will also be able to see the details of your vaccination. That is useful for monitoring any side effects and protecting the vaccines.

More information about the way in which your data is registered can be found on the government website.