© Jan Van der Perre
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Because there is capacity left in the vaccination center in Antwerp Expo, non-Antwerp residents are also welcome to be vaccinated from next week. The coordination is no longer entirely with the city of Antwerp. Governor Cathy Berx is responsible for communication with other municipalities.
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Rebecca Van Remoortere
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The vaccination campaign in VacCovid in Antwerp Expo is running like a train. The vaccination center is now on Christmas break, but last week easily more than 20,000 injections a day were put in. Last Tuesday was the absolute top day with 23,000 shots.
Other vaccination centers in the wider region are not getting up to speed. That is why Antwerp Expo will also open its doors to non-Antwerp residents from Monday to receive a booster vaccine.
Additional seats
“At the moment we are already vaccinating residents of Antwerp and districts: Wommelgem, Schoten, Stabroek and Borsbeek. Starting next week, thousands of locks will still be open so we can schedule a lot of appointments. Antwerp residents will continue to be given priority. We think it’s a good idea to help where we can, just because we can now,” says alderman Els van Doesburg (N-VA).
The coordination of the center will no longer be entirely with the city of Antwerp from next week. Governor Cathy Berx also facilitates where desired.
“Antwerp offers places to municipalities where many people still have to be poked. Those municipalities can pass on their zip code to us. Residents receive a double invitation. They can choose whether they want to get their shot in Antwerp or at their own vaccination center. In Antwerp they may be able to get an appointment even faster because there are still many locks available,” says Governor Cathy Berx.
“This is certainly not a criticism of municipalities where people have to wait a little longer. In all vaccination centers people work hard and efficiently. It simply facilitates the ability to boost as many people as possible faster. And to make optimum use of Antwerp’s economies of scale. For example, we regularly receive messages from people who do not live in Antwerp, but who do work there. It is useful for them to be vaccinated in Antwerp. Many people who want to go on a skiing holiday are also waiting for a shot.”
Even a few who spontaneously come to the vaccination center will not be refused if there is the possibility to take someone else.
Good vaccination coverage
Meanwhile, the Antwerp vaccination rate looks good. “We now have 211,000 boosted Antwerp residents. We are therefore already well above 50% of all residents of Antwerp who can be boosted, so people over the age of 18 and people who have already had two vaccinations. The goal was to get on schedule as quickly as possible so that we get to booster shots for people who receive their second vaccination four months ago. We are already on schedule,” said Alderman van Doesburg.
Until the end of the Christmas holidays, VacCovid will remain the hotspot for vaccinations in Antwerp. After the vaccination campaign of the adults, it is up to the school children.
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