If you thought the coronavirus crisis was a thing of the past, you might be mistaken. 10,424 new infections were registered in Belgium in the week of 29 August. If you consider that these figures are likely to rise now schools are starting again and everyone is going back to work, a seventh wave of coronavirus cannot be ruled out. What guidelines or measures are in place this autumn to help prevent new outbreaks?

The new vaccination campaign in Belgium starts on 12 September. From this date, all adults - both in Flanders and Wallonia - can receive their fourth shot to protect them from the coronavirus. The campaign consists of 3 groups:

• At-risk patients and carers: These groups will be invited first and will receive their booster shot before the end of September. Vaccination is recommended for this group.
• Adults between 50 and 65 years of age: This group will be invited from old to young and will receive their booster shot before the beginning of November. Vaccination is optional for this group.
• Adults between 18 and 49 years of age: Contrary to Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels do not invite people younger than 50 to get their booster shot. They must make an appointment on their own initiative.

You will receive your invitation by letter and electronically via e-mail or My eBox.
 

The American FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved the modified the coronavirus vaccines by Pfizer (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) for use as booster doses. The authorisation applies to everyone over 18 years of age for Moderna, and to any person over the age of 12 for Pfizer.

Both vaccines offer the best protection against the omicron variant, and should not be administered until 2 months after the last coronavirus shot.

This autumn, the federal parliament will be looking into mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for healthcare workers, and review the legislation on indoor air quality in enclosed places accessible to the public.

In addition, the FPS Public Health has extended the temporary provision of the conditions for marketing CO₂ meters. With this, the federal government wants to continue to harness itself in the fights against the coronavirus until the new ventilation law is in place.

As well as a possible coronavirus wave, the flu virus will undoubtedly reappear in the winter. As such, influenza vaccination is also recommended this autumn, especially for at-risk groups.

The viral infection causes a peak in sickness absences every year and can have a significant impact on your organisation. So don’t give flu a chance and protect your employees by ordering vaccines in good time.