those over 80 can receive a second booster dose

People aged 80 and over as well as residents of a residential care center, such as a nursing home, will be able to receive a second booster dose of the covid-19 vaccine “on an individual basis”, decided on Friday the Interministerial Conference (CIM) for Health. This second booster dose can be given at least four months after the first booster dose. The federated entities can set the terms of this approach.

The decision was taken when the Superior Health Council (CSS) ruled, in an opinion validated on Wednesday, that the administration of this second booster dose was not justified for the moment in view of the epidemiological situation in Belgium. . The various Ministers of Health, however, wanted to offer this possibility to people who meet the conditions, even if the approaches differ from one Region to another.

The Flemish Care and Health Agency was the first to communicate after the CIM. In Flanders, 400,000 to 450,000 people are affected. They will be informed by regular and electronic mail of the possibility offered to them and will be able to make an appointment to receive the new dose. The capacity of the vaccination centers will be increased and they should be ready to vaccinate the target group within two to three weeks. For residents of nursing homes, vaccination will take place on site.

At the end of April, the Flemish Minister of Health, Wouter Beke, had already come out in favor of this second booster dose for the over 80s at the end of April, despite the reluctance of the CSS.

“They are the most likely to get seriously ill from covid-19. Their immunity may be less than optimal due to their age, and in residential care centers there is always the risk of an outbreak occurring, which can spread the virus rapidly. What’s more, this group has already received its first booster in the previous campaign, which makes it the furthest group in time from the first booster, “he explained in a statement on Friday.

In Wallonia, the approach will be different. People wishing to receive a second booster dose and who meet the conditions will be able to receive it but, if the epidemiological situation remains the same, a campaign should not start before the start of the school year, the minister’s office was told. Walloon, Christie Morreale.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.