BELGIUM: H1N1 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN BEGINS ON

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001509

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC AMED CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO
PREL, PINR, AMGT, TF, BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: H1N1 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN BEGINS ON
NOVEMBER 7; HIGH RISK GROUPS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL FIRST TO
RECEIVE VACCINE

REF: BRUSSELS 1454

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BELGIAN MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES START OF
VACCINATION CAMPAIGN BEGINNING WITH HIGH RISK GROUPS ON
NOVEMBER 7
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1. In a press conference held November 6, Laurette Onkelinx,
Minister of Public Health, announced the debut of the Belgian
vaccination campaign against H1N1. Beginning November 7, H1N1
vaccie doses will be available to all pharmacists wh have
ordered them. Belgian general practitiners will be able to
order vaccines for person in high risk groups and Belgian
healthcare pofessionals not yet vaccinated.

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VACINATION DELIVERY AND DISTRUBUTION GO AS PLANNED
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2. Health authorities also shared that they had delivered one
million doses last week to various distributors around the
country, and approximately 273,000 more doses will be added
immediately. Belgian hospitals had previously received
242,160 doses of vaccine for the vaccination of their
personnel, and 9,510 doses for the vaccination of general
practitioners.

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PROCEDURES FOR VACCINATION
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3. Authorities say those who go to their doctor for a
vaccination will be required to bring a Belgian electronic ID
card and their Belgian health insurance card. The vaccine is
free and will only be available through general practitioners
(patients will not be able to purchase vaccines at the
pharmacy). Patients will pay the normal co-pay associated
with a medical consultation, but authorities indicate patients
should expect full reimbursement via their health insurance
company.

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WHO IS IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE
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4. The following priority groups will be able to make an
appointment with their general practitioner to receive the
H1N1 vaccination beginning November 7:

- Anyone more than six months old considered to be at a
medical risk
- Parents of children less than six months old
- Pregnant women in their second and third trimesters and
women scheduling medically assisted procreation (artificial
insemination)
- All persons working in schools, children's shelters, day-
cares, or in professions linked to children
- All healthcare professionals


5. The GOB continues to make information on the vaccination
campaign available at the website www.influenza.be.
Municipalities ('communes') are expected to soon publish a
brochure for their residents to explain H1N1 vaccination
procedures.

GUTMAN