From Saturday, all adults living in Brussels will be able to receive their autumn booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as the Capital Region is expanding its campaign to the general population from October.
While those living in Flanders have been able to receive a fourth dose from early September, the Brussels authorities only invited residents over 50 years old, immunocompromised people and healthcare staff for their autumn shot. Now, the eligible group will be expanded to include all adults.
"From 1 October, all Brussels residents aged 18 and over can get an autumn booster, with or without an appointment at one of the four vaccination centres of Forest, Pacheco, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre or Molenbeek," France Dammel, spokesperson for the Brussels health authorities, confirmed to The Brussels Times on Tuesday.
Over-18s are eligible for a new dose if they received their previous Covid-19 vaccination at least three months ago. Additionally, they do not have to wait to receive an invitation as making an appointment is no longer necessary to get vaccinated.
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As during the previous campaigns, Brussels residents will be able to get vaccinated by their GP or at over 60 pharmacies and medical centres in addition to the four vaccination centres.
The authorities again stressed that vaccinating as many people as possible is the best way to ensure a "normal" winter, without restrictions in place. By getting a new booster dose at the right time, people will be much more resistant to infection, which will limit the impact of a predicted new wave on doctors, hospitals and intensive care units.
The booster doses that will be used are the recently approved modified vaccines that also include the Omicron BA.1 strain, which better match the variants that are currently circulating.
More information about the use of a fourth vaccine dose can be found here.
