Tens of thousands of children and young adults in the Netherlands are suffering from post-COVID-19 conditions, often leaving them housebound, unable to attend school, and lacking adequate medical care.
Forty Thousand Young Patients Left Unregistered
While official registration figures for pediatric post-COVID patients do not exist in the country, the national patient organization Long Covid estimates there are roughly 40,000 patients spanning children and young adults. This total includes an estimated 15,000 children between the ages of 2 and 16, alongside approximately 24,000 individuals aged 16 to 24.
The Vereniging van Jeugdrecht Advocaten (VNJA), an association of youth law attorneys, has called on the Dutch government to take immediate action for this group, which they describe as a forgotten population.
Long Covid Limits Charlotte's Physical Abilities
For 16-year-old Charlotte, who fell ill following her third coronavirus infection over two years ago, the illness drastically altered her life. Once an active student who excelled in school and rode horses five times a week, she now faces severe physical limitations that confine her largely to her family home.
Basic physical tasks require significant exertion. On difficult days, navigating the stairs requires descending step-by-step in a seated position. Even routine actions like eating or showering demand assistance or pacing, as holding silverware or washing her hair can exhaust her remaining energy.
Beyond physical symptoms, patients often face social isolation and skepticism from peers and the public. Charlotte noted that her friends struggle to understand her condition, and the lack of visible symptoms frequently leads outsiders to dismiss the illness or assume she is avoiding school.
Invisible Lives and Demands for Political Urgency
Medical and legal experts argue that pediatric post-COVID requires significantly more attention, funding, and formal recognition from policymakers. Professor dr. Niels Eijkelkamp, who has researched post-COVID in children for years, described the issue as large and serious. He emphasized that these patients lead invisible lives, making it difficult to secure funding, and stressed the need for long-term scientific research to drive medical breakthroughs.
Isabella Roos, a lawyer and chair of the Vereniging van Jeugdrecht Advocaten, criticized the government’s response, stating that the state is obligated to protect and assist vulnerable groups but is currently failing to do so. She urged the cabinet to prioritize research and healthcare access to prevent young lives from remaining on hold.
Domestic Treatment Gaps Fuel Family Frustration
Families affected by the condition also point to a lack of accessible treatments domestically compared to options available abroad. Mother Karin expressed concern over her daughter’s prolonged isolation and the scarcity of political urgency surrounding pediatric long COVID, emphasizing that families need immediate support and therapeutic solutions.
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