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The Impossible Quest for a Vaccination History: A Personal Story
The Impossible Quest for a Vaccination History: A Personal Story
In today's interconnected world, keeping track of your vaccination history should be straightforward. However, my experience proves otherwise, revealing a bureaucratic maze that affects thousands of Dutch citizens.
The Initial Problem
The Initial Problem
After losing my yellow vaccination booklet, what seemed like a simple replacement request turned into an ongoing administrative nightmare. As someone married to a Chinese wife and frequently traveling to China - where COVID-19 measures remain strict - having proper vaccination documentation is crucial.
The Bureaucratic Journey
The Bureaucratic Journey
In May 2022, my virtual assistant Linda Babalola began a systematic approach to recover my vaccination history:
First Stop: Former GP Practice
Contacted my previous doctor, Dr. De Bie
Discovered they could no longer access my records
Was referred to my new GP practice (Spekhorst and Wolff) and Apotheek het Dorp
The RIVM Attempt
Multiple requests were sent to the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM)
Received case number M2205 2768
Their response merely directed us to online portals
The digital overview they provided explicitly stated it wasn't an official proof of vaccination
The GGD Roadblock
GGD Gelderland-Midden reported my vaccination status as "unknown"
They could only refer to youth vaccination records
For travel vaccinations, they suggested contacting the original provider
The Digital Paradox
The Digital Paradox
The RIVM's online portal (mijn.rivm.nl/vaccinaties) offers a peculiar situation:
Only shows COVID-19 vaccinations
Explicitly states it's not an official vaccination proof
Cannot be used for registration in the yellow booklet
The International Impact
The International Impact
This administrative failure has real consequences:
Uncertainty during Chinese border controls
Required COVID testing upon arrival in China
No valid physical proof of vaccination
Digital solutions are useless in China where Western apps don't function
The Systemic Failure
The Systemic Failure
The current system creates an impossible situation:
Each institution refers to another
No central authority takes responsibility
Historical vaccination data exists but is inaccessible
No procedure to transfer existing records to a new booklet
The Urgent Need for Change
The Urgent Need for Change
The Netherlands urgently needs:
A centralized vaccination database
Clear procedures for replacing lost documentation
International compatibility of vaccination records
A single responsible authority for vaccination documentation
This isn't just about administrative convenience - it's about public health, international mobility, and basic citizens' rights. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the Dutch healthcare system must evolve to meet these basic needs. Until then, citizens like myself remain trapped in a bureaucratic limbo, unable to prove our vaccination status despite having received all required shots.
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