Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Minister of Health Paulette Lenert addressed the press following a meeting of the state council on Friday afternoon.
While previously only available for individuals above the age of 75, Covid-19 booster jab invitations will now be sent out to everyone aged 18 or older. 40,000 letters are scheduled to go out on Monday.
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Individuals will receive a reminder for the booster six months after their second AstraZeneca, BionTech/Pfizer, or Moderna jab. For recipients of the Johnson&Johnson shot, a reminder will be sent after one month. The Ministers further announced that legislation has been approved to allow pharmacies to administer vaccines from this point forward.
Nine Covid-19 patients are currently being treated in intensive care units. PM Bettel reminded people that around the same time last year, the number was much higher with 45 people. He further noted that it is to be expected that infection numbers continue to climb throughout the winter, which means that new restrictions may very well have to be imposed after 18 December.
The government officials remain concerned over the fact that 15% of people above the age of 60 are still unvaccinated. Efforts will therefore be reinforced in the form of a country-wide vaccination week, starting 6 December. The plan is to place mobile vaccination units in busy locations to help increase the country's immunity rate. As of Saturday, an additional vaccination centre will be set up in Grand Rue in the capital.
The current vaccination rate for people above the age of twelve is 77%. Minister Lenert underlined the importance of increasing the rate to further limit the circulation of the virus in Luxembourg. She also acknowledged that the government hotline is currently overrun, and pleaded for people to be patient.
Finally, the Ministers also reminded people to continue making use of rapid tests and contact their GPs in case they display Covid-19 symptoms.
