Will we get a third dose of the corona vaccine next year? It is a question that is not yet clear. What is certain is that in the European contracts that are negotiated and possibly extended, there will be an obligation that the new vaccines are adapted to the variants. Professor Dirk Ramaekers announced this at the taskforce’s weekly press meeting.
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“We can be clear about it: there is no clarity about the third jab,” Ramaekers opens. Like other European countries, Belgium is preparing for a third shot. Because there are indications that it is coming. Either for specific vulnerable target groups or for everyone. The members of the task force expect more clarity on this in the autumn.
In terms of stocks, it should not be a problem, because large numbers of all vaccines will still be delivered from September. Professor Pierre Van Damme did explain that a certain nuance is needed with the question about the third dose.
“We need to make a clear distinction between what is meant by a third dose. Is it the same vaccine as is now composed? Or a third dose in a composition tailored to the variants?”, says Van Damme.
Ramaekers added: “The contracts that are negotiated or extended at European level will contain mandatory changes to the variant. From the end of this year or early next year, in principle, all vaccines intended for a third dose must be adapted to the variants. It also looks like the companies are capable of that,” concludes Ramaekers.
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