# Lung doctors urge RS virus jabs for vulnerable elderly people

> Doctors want elderly people with a higher risk of severe illness vaccinated against the RS virus, but Zorginstituut Nederland will only issue new advice on reimbursement in early 2027.

Society · published 2026-11-06 05:22 · https://nlnow.nl/a/lung-doctors-urge-rs-virus-jabs-for-vulnerable-elderly-people/

Lung doctors are calling for vulnerable elderly people to be vaccinated against the RS virus, but it is undecided whether the jab will be reimbursed. Zorginstituut Nederland, an advisory body to the cabinet, says new advice on three vaccines for people at increased risk of severe illness from the virus will follow in early 2027.

Last year the institute did not want to recommend reimbursement of the vaccine for vulnerable elderly people. A spokesperson said there was not yet enough scientific evidence, which the law requires: "That is why there is still insufficient scientific evidence."

The institute now says there is new evidence compared with last year, including data on hospital admissions of medical risk groups that were prevented by vaccination.

Susanne Huijts, of the infectious diseases section of the lung doctors' association NVALT, says the vaccines have proved "very effective" and give a high level of protection to everyone over 60.

Pulmonologist Chantal Kroesse of Ikazia Ziekenhuis in Rotterdam says the RS virus has a big impact on patients with chronic lung disease. Vaccination pays off, she says, because an admission costs far more than a vaccine: "Do the maths."

The Long Alliantie Nederland already argues for vaccinating vulnerable elderly people, citing successes abroad.

## Background

- **Zorginstituut Nederland**: The Dutch national health care institute, an independent public body that advises the Minister of Health on which care and medicines should be covered by basic health insurance (basispakket). Its advice determines whether a treatment or vaccine is reimbursed, so its position decides whether people can get it without paying the cost themselves.
- **NVALT (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Artsen Longziekten en Tuberculose)**: The Dutch Association of Lung Physicians, the professional association of doctors who specialise in lung diseases and tuberculosis. It has sections for specific fields, such as infectious diseases, and issues professional guidance on lung care in the Netherlands.
- **Long Alliantie Nederland**: The Dutch alliance of patient organisations, researchers and care professionals working on long-term health problems that follow infections, such as long COVID. It advocates for research, care and recognition for people with these conditions.

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