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 -------------- -------------- BELGIAN MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES START OF VACCINATION CAMPAIGN BEGINNING WITH HIGH RISK GROUPS ON NOVEMBER 7 -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- VACINATION DELIVERY AND DISTRUBUTION GO AS PLANNED -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- PROCEDURES FOR VACCINATION -------------- ¶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. -------------- WHO IS IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE -------------- ¶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