The first batch of flu vaccines in our country is almost sold out. Due to the corona crisis, many more Belgians are having a flu shot. As a result, demand is higher than in previous years and vulnerable groups are at risk of being without vaccine.
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Since the beginning of this month, people over 50 have been allowed to buy a flu vaccine without a prescription, and it shows. Several pharmacies cannot keep up with demand and have already run out of their first stock. Some create waiting lists, others don’t because they cannot guarantee anything.
This creates unpleasant scenarios at the counter, but they could be predicted, says Lieven Zwaenepoel of the Apothekersbond. “Demand is much higher this year than usual and people have little patience.” Our country has ordered nearly 3 million vaccines for the coming flu season, 10 percent more than usual. Half of that has not yet been distributed. There is also time. The vaccination period for the flu runs until mid-December.
According to the federal medicines agency (FAMHP), the offer will be sufficient to vaccinate people from the risk groups. Experts say full coverage would require 4 million doses. Zwaenepoel fears that it will be close. “Normally we don’t reach 70 percent for people over 65, but demand is now considerably higher. They really should be given priority, along with people with chronic conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers. ”
In order to avoid a double loss of Covid-19 and the flu in our hospitals, as many at-risk patients as possible should be vaccinated against the flu. In May, the call on the Superior Health Council to raise awareness of vulnerable persons as much as possible. Yet there are now no hard conditions now that healthy people over 50 can also get a flu shot. The rest of the (healthy) population has to wait until November 15th. Zwaenepoel hopes that healthy people will wait or even skip a year. “I usually get a vaccine every year, but I made a commitment not to do it this time. We must first provide for the vulnerable. ”
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