Earlier Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Flemish socialist/Vooruit) announced that chemists would be able to administer flu jabs starting 1 October. However, due to opposition to the necessary legislation by the far right Vlaams Belang a flu jab from your chemist will only become available in a couple of weeks.
In future both GPs and chemists will be involved in the roll out of the autumn flu jab. In parliament Vlaams Belang argued that Mr Vandenbroucke’s bill discriminated against GPs. The far right also opposed the fast-tracking of the legislation and demanded a second reading meaning the bill can only receive its final vote in parliament next Thursday 5 October.
Health minister Vandenbroucke accused Vlaams Belang of not being interested in public health but only in procrastination.
Doctors too remain opposed to the bill claiming it’s a bridge too far. They say chemists do not possess the specific training and expertise required to administer the flu vaccine safely and effectively.
Health minister Vandenbroucke points to the easy access to pharmacies, especially for people with little contact with their GP, and believes chemists and GPs can complement each other to ensure vaccination levels increase ahead of winter.