Vaccination of 5-11 year olds, what will Belgium decide? Here is the information we currently have
In Belgium, the decision regarding the possible vaccination of children has not yet been taken. It could be in the course of next week. But we already have some information. It could in particular that this vaccination be “optional”, in other words: without any obligation or “discrimination” towards the children who would not have been vaccinated.
Vaccination is already authorized for children from 12 years old in Belgium. But for a younger audience, to use the 336,000 adapted doses that have already been delivered, we still have to wait for two opinions: the first is scientific, the second is bioethical.
The first opinion comes to us from the Superior Council of Health. The Superior Health Council should not oppose the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11, but on a voluntary basis. It should not be vaccinated and especially not binding, for there is no difference between a vaccinated and an unvaccinated.
The Superior Health Council is also analyzing the interest of this vaccination. Positive point: it limits the transmission of the virus in our society. On the other hand, given the few infections in children aged 5 to 11, the extremely low number of hospitalizations, the Superior Council of Health is for the moment only little convinced of its usefulness.
This opinion, like that of the bioethics committee, will be sent to the authorities this week. And Monday is up to the political decision, the ministers of health meet to launch or not the vaccination of children from 5 to 11 years old.