Belgium is based on opinions
LA Belgium will continue vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine, based on scientific advice from European and Belgian experts, the Vaccination task force confirmed on Monday evening. She says she follows the decision of the interministerial public health conference, which is based on the opinion on the matter from the Higher Health Council issued earlier in the afternoon. It also follows the position of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The AstraZeneca vaccine has already been administered massively throughout the world, and the rate of thrombosis in vaccinated people is lower than in the general population, notes the task force, according to which the AZ vaccine is “good”, “safe ”And“ efficient ”. It reduces the risk of hospitalization for people with an infection by 94%, and the public health benefits of continued vaccination “far outweigh” the disadvantages.
The task force, whose objective is to vaccinate more than 70% of the population, ensures that the safety and health of citizens is a higher priority than their participation in the campaign.
Priority to vaccination
Each case of thrombosis observed after administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine is recorded by the Belgian Medicines Agency (FAMHP) which, after analysis, transmits these data to the EMA. Each case is taken seriously and followed closely, insists the task force.
Experts and policymakers follow all the information and facts very closely, she emphasizes. It will follow the opinion that will be issued on Thursday by the European Medicines Agency. “In the meantime, the vaccinations, which are so essential, will continue unabated so that we can resume our normal life as quickly as possible, under optimal conditions,” the task force concludes.
Earlier in the evening, the Superior Health Council (CSS) had indicated that it would maintain its decision to continue vaccination against Covid-19 with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Belgium, in an urgent opinion addressed to the Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke and to the chairman of the vaccination taskforce, Dirk Ramaekers.
Minister Vandenbroucke, for his part, considered that it would be “irresponsible” at this time to suspend vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine, as Germany, the Netherlands or France have done in awaiting the position of the EMA on Thursday.