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The AstraZeneca vaccination freeze does not apply everywhere.
In Europe, Austria and the Czech Republic continue to vaccinate - and: Belgium.
In this vaccination center in Antwerp, syringes are still being prepared and placed.
For example, the 85-year-old Marie Marain.
Marie Marain, pensioner
»All this excitement in the media makes me dizzy.
I trust science.
Why do we all have to give our views on this?
I think it's more likely that I get thrombosis from Covid than from the vaccine. "
Others are probably less sober: There are currently more rejections in Antwerp than usual. But on a low level: According to the vaccination center, a few dozen of 2000 appointments per day were missed.
Other people willing to vaccinate filled in the gaps.
Why does Belgium keep giving AstraZenca?
The spokesman for the coronavirus task force explains it this way:
Yves van Laethem, spokesman for the Coronavirus Task Force
"We want to be as scientific as possible in this media and political mess that is shaking Europe at the moment."
The available data would not demonstrate any additional risk of thrombosis or embolism from AstraZeneca.
And the vaccine has been administered millions of times in the EU and the UK.
The European Medicines Agency sees it similarly.
Emer Cooke, Ema Director
“Investigations are ongoing.
We are currently convinced that the benefits of AstraZeneca, the prevention of Covid infection with the risk of hospitalization and death, are greater than the risks of side effects. "
Even if vaccinations with AstraZeneca may be resumed soon, the loss of confidence in the vaccine will remain.
Also in Antwerp.
Sara Vanheule, nurse
»If I could choose, I would choose a different vaccine because of the reports from the countries that have stopped the distribution.
But I can't choose, that's why I've come now. "
The European Medicines Agency plans to announce the results of its investigation into the vaccine on Thursday.