In one week, 7,427 inhabitants of Brussels have already received an autumn booster, of which 62 percent in the vaccination centers. That reports France Dammel, COVID spokeswoman for the GGC. For the time being, mainly healthcare personnel and people over 80 and 90 were vaccinated.
Between 12 and 18 September, some seven thousand Brussels residents received a fourth or fifth corona jab. These were not only placed in the vaccination centers, but also at the general practitioners, home nurses, medical centers, pharmacies and rest homes.
Because the invitations were only sent by e-mail and SMS for the time being, that number is still on the low side: the target group over 80s does not always have an e-mail address or mobile phone, explains the spokeswoman. But from this week the invitations will also go out on paper.
The GGC has now sent 212,000 invitations to Brussels residents over 50 and healthcare staff. 98,000 invitations to this group will be sent out in the coming days. “In Brussels, we know that it always slows down and that’s why we have to focus on informing to have the booster set by everyone over 65 and over-50s with risk factors,” says Dammel.
The second booster shot is not mandatory, but it is recommended, especially for the frail and the elderly. From 1 October, it will be the turn of all those over 18 who wish to do so. “It still takes two weeks before the vaccine offers enough protection. And since according to the models a new peak would occur around mid-October, it is really important to make an appointment as soon as possible,” says Dammel, who emphasizes that the vaccines have been adapted to the omikron variant.