The Netherlands will start vaccinating 30,000 emergency care workers as soon as possible, the health ministry said, as the government comes under fire for lagging other European Union countries in launching immunisations.

The government had previously said its national vaccination campaign would start on Jan 8, the latest date for any EU country.

The first doses were planned to go to healthcare personnel in homes for the elderly, home care nurses and people working in care homes for the disabled, rather than emergency care workers as well, according to Reuters.

However, it was still unclear when these workers would get vaccinated. The ministry said it would give more details on Monday.