90% of COVID-19 Hospitalisations Have Not Been Fully Vaccinated; Rise in Young People Becoming Infected

On Wednesday 11 August 2021, Luxemebourg's Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, presented an update on the COVID-19 situation in the Grand Duchy, including the vaccination campaign which has been branded "Every dose counts!"

With 72.4% of the population aged 12 or over having received a first dose of vaccination against COVID-19 and 67.5% having been completely vaccinated, the minister reported that Luxembourg is advancing at a satisfactory pace in its vaccination campaign and is within the averages of EU / EAA countries. However, additional efforts are needed to inform and encourage the younger age groups, in particular, even 12-40 year-olds, to be vaccinated.

Minister Lenert called on residents to show solidarity and to be vaccinated. “Together, we can defeat the coronavirus and return to normal life. Getting vaccinated is a gesture of solidarity. We not only protect ourselves and our loved ones, but we also avoid a serious course of the disease, hospitalisation or even long-term consequences". As of 9 August 2021, 18 out of 20 hospital patients (90%) have not been fully vaccinated.

In this sense, various vaccination actions have been organised in recent weeks via mobile teams in mobile buses "Impfbus on tour" at several vaccination sites across the country offering anyone in contact with vulnerable people, including health professionals, to be vaccinated without prior administrative procedures, close to the workplace and during flexible time slots. Thus, between 28 July and 10 August, a total of 253 additional people were vaccinated in hospitals and 364 in care homes and integrated centres for the elderly.

"Impfbus on tour" to vaccinate more young people

When analysing vaccination rates by different age categories, it as been noted that the younger population is more reluctant to be vaccinated. This can be explained by the fact that young people generally experience a less severe course of the disease. However, a decrease in the average age of hospitalised people has been noted in recent weeks. Also, in the face of new variants that spread more quickly, young people also seem less resistant to infection.

"We want to meet with adolescents and young adults, in order to inform them on the spot and to explain to them why it is important that they too get vaccinated," said the minister. "To this end, we have decided to continue the actions of the 'Impfbus on tour' at events organised for this target audience, but anyone who has not yet been vaccinated is welcome."

Thus, during the stop-off of the Impfbus at the E-Lake festival in Echternach on 7 and 8 August, a total of 110 people were vaccinated, described by the ministry as "a real success for the minister".

Interim assessment of vaccination in medical practices

Minister Lenert also drew up an initial assessment of vaccination in the medical offices of general practitioners and paediatricians.

During the first pilot phase, starting on 6 August, the 4 medical practices (including 13 doctors) located in Esch-sur-Alzette, Mersch, Redange-sur-Attert and Strassen, carried out a total of 177 vaccinations against COVID-19. For the weeks of 9 and 16 August, 74 and 100 additional doctors respectively across the country are and will be added to the list of participants, so as to ensure a homogeneous territorial network. Among the 189 doctors registered at this stage, there are 170 general practitioners, 12 paediatricians, 3 internists and 2 doctors from the Médecins du Monde association.

The list of doctors participating in the vaccination campaign will be updated regularly and can be consulted on the government site https://covid19.public.lu/fr/vaccination.html.

For Minister Lenert, the participation of GPs marks an important step in the vaccination campaign: "Doctors are the first people of trust for their patients and play an essential role for the success of the vaccination campaign in Luxembourg."