Some 15,000 people are to be offered a vaccination against coronavirus earlier than originally planned, health minister Hugo de Jonge has told MPs in an update.

People living in small scale psychiatric care homes, riot police officers and Dutch nationals who work in embassies and consulates abroad will be offered priority vaccinations, De Jonge said. The families of embassy workers will also be bumped up the queue.

The decision to prioritise the ME has been taken because of their role in maintaining order during possible unrest, De Jonge said. Infections and quarantine requirements reduce the number of officers who can be used to quell trouble, he said.

Some 200 Dutch Olympic hopefuls will also be given the Pfizer vaccine in the coming weeks.