“It was a huge challenge to get the logistics up and running, but the invitations are working, the [vaccination] centres are working, so to that extent I am really pleased with the situation”, she said. Even if the awareness campaign to boost trust amongst the population needs to continue, the minister is content with the public’s response.
The Ministry of Health is hosting a press conference on Monday morning on Luxembourg’s vaccination campaign, which we will also cover on our site in the afternoon.
A total of 23,000 vaccines were delivered to Luxembourg as of last weekend, which covers 11,500 people. The government expects a further 11,700 doses from AstraZeneca to arrive next week, even if there is no official confirmation of that number.
Should this shipment come to Luxembourg, however, the first phase of the Grand Duchy’s vaccination campaign could be finished sooner than expected.
Invitations to receive the jab are sent out several days prior to the arrival of new doses.
So who will get the AstraZeneca vaccine? While some countries have said that this vaccine may not offer sufficient protection for those aged 65 and over, Luxembourg will await specific guidelines from its own experts.
There has been criticism for Luxembourg’s slow vaccination campaign, with vaccines lying in freezers awaiting to be administered. As of Thursday, 9,890 people had received the first vaccine dose in Luxembourg, and 1,483 had received a second dose, which is not far from the actual number of deliveries, as the second dose is reserved.
“Nobody has to worry. We’re not bunkering vaccines and not using them, but we’re making sure that everyone receiving their first dose will also get their second.” Other countries raced ahead and vaccinated as many people possible with their first dose, speculating that sufficient vaccines will arrive in time for the follow-up jab. “That is an option we’re not taking, because there’s a lot of uncertainty regarding production”, says Lenert.
“It was a conscious decision to guarantee this second dose.”
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50% of hospital staff and 86% of care home staff have been vaccinated to date. To cut down on or completely avoid travel time to vaccination centres, personnel can register to be vaccinated by mobile teams on site. “If you’re working long hours and then have to travel far for a vaccine, it’s not very encouraging”, said Lenert.
Residents receiving a vaccination invite may choose which centre they would like to visit.
In the second phase, highly vulnerable persons will be vaccinated. There are several categories of vulnerability. More details will be provided in Monday’s press conference at 10.30am, which RTL will also cover.
Generally speaking, there are no illnesses which could prevent a patient from getting the vaccine. Prior to every vaccination, a doctor discusses the patient’s health condition, so patients can be sure that this is checked. It is not clear yet whether youths and children will also be vaccinated, but for now they are last in line, according to the minister.
The EU has pushed countries to inoculate 70% of its population by the summer, which Lenert says will be possible if the rate of vaccination continues at the current tempo.
“The Health Directorate has recommended the use of these masks, especially if one has an increased vulnerability or a group gathers in a room and cannot maintain social distance”, says Lenert. They are, however, not mandatory.
They are also accessible and can be purchased at all pharmacies, and there is no emergency in the country’s stock.
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