Covid, Belgium says “yes” to the fourth dose of the vaccine. The national authorities have found the political agreement to start with the further administration, however, intended only for immunosuppressed people.
It was the Higher Health Council that recommended doing so to protect the most vulnerable and at risk, and the competent ministers agreed with the experts’ recommendation.
The further appeal will therefore not be for everyone, but only for a certain portion of the national population made up of about 325 thousand individuals aged 12 and over.
Christie Morreale, Minister for Health of the Wallonia region, merely announces the decision taken with her colleagues (the matter is managed in Belgium in a concurrent manner between the federal government, regions and linguistic communities), without going into operational detail. In any case, it ensures “implementation soon” of the measure. According to available data, 92% of immunosuppressed in Belgium have already received the additional dose. In light of the new decision, they could be recalled as early as in February.
Belgium’s decision is part of the broader debate held at European level. Last Friday, the EU health ministers held an informal meeting to take stock of the situation regarding the progress of the pandemic and its management measures and responses.
It is there that the twelve-star club agreed to prepare to use the fourth dose of the anti-Coronavirus vaccine, “if necessary”. Belgium did not have to wait long to follow the directions of the partners and the European Commission.