Belgium, Brussels: The latest COVID-19 vaccines against the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 were delivered in Belgium the previous week. They will be available in the remaining four vaccination centres of the Brussels-Capital Region from Friday, with or without an appointment.
The vaccination campaign can be seen as good timing. The number of cases of COVID-19 is increasing all over Belgium, as is the maximum number of admission in Brussels hospitals, including the daily average of people getting admitted in the hospitals has increased from 161 to 215 (+34 percent) in just one week, an increase that is expected to continue for about another week.
The Health Minister Alain Maron in Brussels mentioned in the statement, “In the first four weeks of the campaign, 55,690 booster doses have already been administered. I invite all those who want to get vaccinated not to wait and quickly extend their protection, especially those in a risk group.”
Along with this, the vaccine against Omicron subvariant BA.1 is also very effective against the subtypes BA.2 and BA.5 that is now dominant in Belgium.
“The main push is for people to get vaccinated now. The type of vaccine is less important, as they are both effective.”
As GPs, medical centres, home nurses as well as pharmacies also actively participate in the vaccination campaign, the new vaccine will also be rolled out gradually there.
In addition, it is strongly recommended to get vaccinated now, as the infection peak is expected in the second half of October as well as the vaccine needs about ten days to provide adequate protection, Macron added to the statement.
Like those who are part of a high-risk group (over-65s, over-50s with an underlying condition, people with reduced immunity), healthcare professionals are also urged to get vaccinated as soon as they can to protect themselves, their family members as well as their patients.
