Flanders leads the way in Covid-19 vaccination uptake
More than 1.8 million Belgians received a Covid-19 booster this autumn, according to figures from public health institute Sciensano. There are big differences between Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, vaccinologist Pierre Van Damme told VRT NWS.
Sciensano has published figures for vaccinations carried out in the last six months as part of Belgium's autumn vaccination campaign. In total, 51 per cent of people aged between 65 and 84 and 56 per cent of those 85 and over were vaccinated. This is lower than in previous campaigns.
There is also a big difference between regions. In Flanders, 64 per cent of the over-65s were vaccinated this autumn, more than double the 31 per cent in Wallonia and the 29 per cent in Brussels. Overall, just under 22 per cent of the Flemish population has been vaccinated, compared to 8.4 per cent in Wallonia and 6.3 per cent in Brussels.
Van Damme believes the lower figures in Wallonia and Brussels are partly due to a lack of awareness, as "the campaign was less publicised". He also suggests that there may be less trust in vaccination programmes in these regions, which have historically had a lower vaccination rate than Flanders.
In general, Van Damme points to possible vaccine fatigue for the lower uptake. Covid-19 also causes fewer complications than in previous years, which could make people less inclined to be vaccinated.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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