(Belga) In the residential care centers there are hardly any corona infections and COVID deaths. This is evident from a study by Sciensano, which Steven Van Gucht explained during the press conference about the corona figures. “The vaccine offers a life preserver in a sea of virus,” said the virologist.
The vaccination strategy against COVID-19 aims to protect the most vulnerable groups as soon as possible. Priority was given to the residents and staff of the residential care centers. There, the vaccination campaign ran from December 28 to March 24. New residents are currently still being vaccinated, just like staff members who did not have themselves vaccinated before, but now wish to do so. Across the country, 89% of residential care center residents are fully vaccinated. In Flanders and in the German-speaking community this is 91%. In Brussels it is 85% and in Wallonia it is almost 87%. The European Commission’s goal was to vaccinate at least 80% of people over 80 years old by the end of March. In our country, this objective has been achieved for residents of residential care centers, but just not for people who do not reside in such a center. The target was achieved with a short delay, Van Gucht assures. At almost 77%, the vaccination coverage is somewhat lower for the staff of the residential care centers. There are, however, striking regional differences. In Flanders, 87% of residential care center staff have been vaccinated, compared to 47% in Brussels and 58% in Wallonia. In the German-speaking community this is 65%. “The lower willingness to vaccinate in Brussels and Wallonia follows a well-known trend that we also see in the influenza vaccination campaigns in recent years,” says Van Gucht. “From data collected in Flanders and Brussels, it appears that people who do not get vaccinated usually do not have a medical reason for doing so. This applies to both staff members and residents.” The virologist believes that the reasons for the refusal should be investigated in order to ensure the further roll-out of the vaccination campaign. In the meantime, the positive effects of the high vaccination coverage among residents are becoming increasingly clear. For example, the number of infections among residents in all regions is remarkably low, with 2 cases per 1,000 residents per week. There are seldom major outbreaks in residential care centers and these usually involve mild symptoms as well. In the past week, 1% of the Flemish residential care centers reported a major outbreak of at least 10 cases, while there were no major outbreaks in the other regions. Residents of residential care centers still represent only 1% of hospital admissions, compared to almost 20% in December. There is a similar trend in COVID deaths. While the number of deaths among the general population has been increasing since the end of February, the number of deaths among residential care center residents is decreasing. In the past week, 14 residents died as a result of COVID. That is 6 less than the week before. In total, 276 people died from the effects of the corona virus in the same week. 5% of these were residents of a residential care center, while this used to be more than 50%. “For those who still have doubts: these figures show conclusively how well the vaccines work, even with the very weakest. The vaccine offers a lifeline in a sea of viruses,” concludes Van Gucht. (Belga)
The vaccination strategy against COVID-19 aims to protect the most vulnerable groups as soon as possible. Priority was given to the residents and staff of the residential care centers. There, the vaccination campaign ran from December 28 to March 24. New residents are currently still being vaccinated, just like staff members who did not have themselves vaccinated before, but now wish to do so. Across the country, 89% of residential care center residents are fully vaccinated. In Flanders and in the German-speaking community this is 91%. In Brussels it is 85% and in Wallonia it is almost 87%. The European Commission’s goal was to vaccinate at least 80% of people over 80 years old by the end of March. In our country, this objective has been achieved for residents of residential care centers, but just not for people who do not reside in such a center. The target was achieved with a short delay, Van Gucht assures. At almost 77%, the vaccination coverage is somewhat lower for the staff of the residential care centers. There are, however, striking regional differences. In Flanders, 87% of residential care center staff have been vaccinated, compared to 47% in Brussels and 58% in Wallonia. In the German-speaking community this is 65%. “The lower willingness to vaccinate in Brussels and Wallonia follows a well-known trend that we also see in the influenza vaccination campaigns in recent years,” says Van Gucht. “From data collected in Flanders and Brussels, it appears that people who do not get vaccinated usually do not have a medical reason for doing so. This applies to both staff members and residents.” The virologist believes that the reasons for the refusal should be investigated in order to ensure the further roll-out of the vaccination campaign. In the meantime, the positive effects of the high vaccination coverage among residents are becoming increasingly clear. For example, the number of infections among residents in all regions is remarkably low, with 2 cases per 1,000 residents per week. There are seldom major outbreaks in residential care centers and these usually involve mild symptoms as well. In the past week, 1% of the Flemish residential care centers reported a major outbreak of at least 10 cases, while there were no major outbreaks in the other regions. Residents of residential care centers still represent only 1% of hospital admissions, compared to almost 20% in December. There is a similar trend in COVID deaths. While the number of deaths among the general population has been increasing since the end of February, the number of deaths among residential care center residents is decreasing. In the past week, 14 residents died as a result of COVID. That is 6 less than the week before. In total, 276 people died from the effects of the corona virus in the same week. 5% of these were residents of a residential care center, while this used to be more than 50%. “For those who still have doubts: these figures show conclusively how well the vaccines work, even with the very weakest. The vaccine offers a lifeline in a sea of viruses,” concludes Van Gucht. (Belga)
–
