Prominent Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst (55) will receive his first dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, he announced on Twitter.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is "very safe and effective," Van Ranst stressed, sharing a link explaining the vaccine's "image problem."
"That's why, as a virologist and health worker, I will be administered the AstraZeneca vaccine this afternoon at the vaccination centre in Willebroek," he tweeted.
Van Ranst referred to results from a study in Scotland which were announced on Tuesday, showing that the AstraZeneca vaccine works well in people over 65, "and even after one dose." By the fourth week after receiving the initial dose, the AstraZeneca vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalisation due to Covid-19 by up to 94%, according to the initial results. However, recent concerns have arisen over the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to premature communication, according to virologist and interfederal Covid-19 spokesperson Steven Van Gucht.Het #AstraZeneca vaccin is een zeer veilig en zeer doeltreffend vaccin. Daarom laat ik mij als viroloog en gezondheidswerker deze namiddag in het Vaccinatiecentrum in Willebroek inspuiten met het AstraZeneca vaccin. https://t.co/AaUZOnzTTp
— Marc Van Ranst (@vanranstmarc) February 24, 2021