5 new deaths, vaccination urgent
Starting the discussion, Lenert (LSAP) said that a return to normal was difficult to gauge, as countries such as Denmark--which has a high level of inoculations targeted by Luxembourg--have had to return to stricter measures after infection cases soared.
As Lenert reminded, the vaccination’s aim is not overload hospitals, as it prevents severe illness. Respecting sanitary rules is still important, she said. “CovidCheck will likely stay for longer than we would like it to,” Lenert said. “We aren’t where we want to be to feel safe.”
Lenert also announced that around 200,000 people are not yet vaccinated, half of which don’t have any pre-existing reasons to not get the jab.
The number of new infections has grown exponentially--over 14% in the last week--despite the national 74.9% vaccination cover. Currently, 42 people are hospitalised, a majority of which are not vaccinated (17 out of 29 in normal care, 10 out of 13 in intensive care). Five people have died after testing positive for Sars-CoV-2 in the last week.
Booster shots needed for 65+
As was on 8 November, invitations for booster shots for people over the age of 65 and healthcare practitioners have been sent out. Among the first target of the third phase--75+ year olds--only 40% have currently received a booster shot. Lenert asked people--including those who got the Johnson&Johnson jab--to take the invitation seriously. If not for themselves, then for those who can’t.
“The fourth wave isn’t three or four months away, we are in it now,” Schmit added, urging people who have received the letter for an additional shot to get it done as soon possible.
Lenert and Schmit said enough doses are available for the booster shots. Currently, though, amended formulas for the Delta variant haven’t been submitted to the EMA and thus are unlikely to reach Luxembourg in the coming months.
Why a third shot?
A study of the infection rates in Israel--where most of the population got vaccinated early on--showed that immunity begins to wane after six to eight months, as Staub explained. The head doctor at the infectious diseases department of the CHL also noted that in Luxembourg, healthcare professionals, who received their shots at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021, were starting to become more prone to infection.
As older people have weaker immune systems, they are prioritised in this phase. Lenert explained that those who had been administered their final dose in the summer, still had enough time before their immunity reduced.
Schmit added that all vaccines became less efficient over time, and that extreme side effects were just as rare for booster shots as for the first and second doses.
Certificate validity, a political decision
Lenert explained that no decision had currently been taken regarding the . The certificates are currently valid for one year and don’t expire if an invitation for a booster shot isn’t used.
The minister of health said it was a political decision and that more would be said on the topic during the address planned for next week.
Austria had set the certificate validity at 360 days, while . In France, meanwhile, the third dose from December on will be mandatory for over 65s.
Children not part of vaccination campaign yet
When asked if children under 12 would be inoculated as they are in the US, Staub explained that it currently wasn’t considered. The Pfizer study, which administered a third of a dose to children, only featured 3,000 children, not enough to take a decision, Staub said.
Luxembourg will observe the effect of the vaccine on children in the US--where children are more likely to be obese and therefore at risk of developing severe forms, Staub said--before considering it.