BRUSSELS, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belgium Wednesday reached the target of 70% of adults vaccinated with at least one dose of the anti-covid-19 vaccine, with 6.4 million people already with the first inoculation, above the European average and surpassing the community target.
Data released by the Belgian health authorities on their website on vaccination reveal that a total of 6,483,736 people have already received the first inoculation against covid-19, which in percentage terms is equivalent to 70.2% of resident adults in Belgium with some protection against the virus.
The target set by the European Commission was that 70% of European adults would be vaccinated by the end of the summer.
With regard to full vaccination, 3,610,949 residents in Belgium are fully protected, equivalent to 39.2% of adults.
In all, 9.87 million doses of vaccinated anti-covid-19 have already been administered, according to data from the Belgian health authorities, dating from Tuesday.
By region, 74% of adults in Flanders have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, a percentage which is 69% in Wallonia and drops to 51% in Brussels.
All regions of Belgium are already vaccinating people over the age of 18, and teenagers (over the age of 16) can register on the waiting list to be called if vacancies arise.
The online tool of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to track EU vaccination, which is based on notifications from Member States, reveals that so far an average of 57.3% of the adult population in the EU has already received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 34% of adults are fully inoculated.
The average of first inoculations in Belgium is thus above the Community average.
In absolute terms, around 328 million doses of vaccines, out of 377 million doses received by pharmacists, have already been administered in the EU, data that may still be updated as country notifications reach ECDC.
Four anti-covid-19 vaccines are approved in the European Union: Comirnaty (brand name for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine), Moderna, Vaxzevria and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson group).
In Portugal, the coordinator of the ‘task-force’ for the vaccination plan against covid-19 today admitted a delay of up to 15 days in the target of 70% of the population vaccinated with the first dose, due to delays in some vaccine deliveries .
“The target of 70% of first doses scheduled for August 8 could be delayed up to 15 days,” said Vice Admiral Gouveia e Melo, who spoke during a hearing at the Parliamentary Health Commission.
The official pointed out the reduction of vaccines by two brands, without specifying, as well as several delays that have taken place.
In the parliamentary committee, Vice Admiral Gouveia e Melo also said that there are about 47% of the population vaccinated with the first dose and 30% with full vaccination and added that the pace of vaccination has been affected by the lack of sufficient vaccines. — NNN-AGENCIES
