Children will be vaccinated with Pfizer and BioNTech's Comirnaty vaccine. The dose for children aged 5-11 years is lower, with an adapted dosage of 10 µg. (Photo: Nader Ghavami/Maison Moderne)

Children will be vaccinated with Pfizer and BioNTech's Comirnaty vaccine. The dose for children aged 5-11 years is lower, with an adapted dosage of 10 µg. (Photo: Nader Ghavami/Maison Moderne)

Luxembourg’s three vaccination centres can now vaccinate children aged 5 to 11, but by appointment only.

As prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) and health minister Paulette Lenert (LSAP) had previously announced, as of Thursday 23 December children aged between 5 and 11 can be vaccinated voluntarily in one of Luxebourg’s three vaccination centre--Victor Hugo Hall in Luxembourg City, Esch-Belval and Ettelbruck.

The ministry of health explains that the children will be vaccinated with the Comirnaty vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech. The planned dose is lower than that recommended for children aged 12 and over, with an adapted dosage of 10µg. In concrete terms, one third of the dose will be administered to children.

It should be noted that it will not be possible for children to be vaccinated in temporary vaccination spots (”Pop Up Vaccination” spots). Moreover, the child must be accompanied by a legal representative.

To receive the vaccination, it is necessary to make an appointment on . Some paediatricians, featuring in a designated list available on the same website, will also be able to carry out the vaccination.

According to the latest health indicators, for the week of 13 to 19 December, the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 increased by 5%, from 2,593 to 2,727. Compared to the previous week, the incidence rate increased in all age groups, except in the 30-44 (-2%) and 60-74 (-20%) age groups.

But the biggest increase was in the 0-14 year olds, with a 16% increase, followed by the 45-59 year olds (+13%). The highest incidence rate is recorded among 0-14 year olds with 773 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In contrast, the lowest incidence rate is recorded in the 75 and over age group with 140 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

It should also be noted that for the 2,727 new cases, the family circle (37.4%) remains the most frequent source of contamination, followed by education (15.8%)--mainly basic education (11.0%)--, work (6.0%) and leisure (3.9%). The percentage of undetermined sources is decreasing (31.6%).

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.