MediKwatrecht

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Team updates, Vaccinations autumn-winter 2026, Diabetes follow-up, Blood pressure, Covid and menopause

Medikwatrecht Team Updates

With our current team of 4 doctors and a nurse, we are planning hard work during the winter months to keep waiting times for appointments to a minimum.

No-shows must be strictly limited. This causes other people to arrive unnecessarily late and doctors to work unnecessarily late. It is unacceptable for up to three people per doctor per day to miss their appointments. We are required to send invoices for this (30 euros, non-refundable). This is primarily intended as a preventative measure.

In the spring of 2027, a fifth doctor will join our team.

Current points of focus

Women with menopausal symptoms can request a consultation with the nurse to review all their symptoms and decide together whether further investigation or treatment is necessary.

Anyone using an inhaler or aerosol should ideally have a lung function test (spirometry) performed by the nurse every year.

Are your blood pressure or sugar being treated ? Home measurements make follow-up more accurate; record them and bring them with you regularly to consultations… For blood pressure, it is better to monitor your average home blood pressure than random measurements at the doctor's.

During the winter months, symptoms of a cold or the flu can also indicate COVID-19. The treatment is often the same, and a test is usually not necessary. If you wish to know which virus is making you ill, you can purchase a self-test at a pharmacy (“Apotheek”).

Current Affairs: Driving Licenses and Diabetes

In Belgium, anyone with diabetes who holds or applies for a standard driving licence (Group 1: AM, A, B, B+E, G) must have a certificate of driving fitness completed by their general practitioner and use this to apply to the municipality for an adapted driving licence with limited validity. These forms are available at the practice. This applies to any type of diabetes or any treatment.

Key points:

-For private transport (group 1), the driving licence is usually valid for a maximum of 5 years.

-Your diabetes is not listed on the driver's license, but the license does have an expiration date.

-The application is submitted to the Population/Driving Licences department of the municipality, with the certificate of driving fitness, your identity card, and your current driving licence.

-The adapted driving licence must normally be applied for within 4 working days after the diagnosis.

- An exception is gestational diabetes; this obligation generally does not apply to that.

Why another Covid vaccine in 2026 ?

·  Highly recommended if you are 65+, have a chronic condition or are significantly overweight, take immunosuppressive medication, work in healthcare, or have a vulnerable family member. [ afdelingzorg.be ] ,

People over 65 have a 60 times higher chance of dying from Covid than younger people .

·  It is less evident if you are younger, healthy, and have no particular risk factors. In that case, the expected individual health gain is generally smaller.

The vaccine is in stock free of charge at the practice from 29/09/2026 until Thursday 29/10/2026 . You can have it injected by the nurse by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. (Home visits to give the vaccine are only for bedridden patients; they will receive the proposal and an appointment date directly from the GP.) Bringing the flu vaccine for simultaneous administration is permitted (although flu vaccines are better given alone after 15/11).

Flu vaccines have proven benefits in preventing hospitalizations, serious heart and lung diseases, and mortality, particularly among the elderly and people with chronic conditions. Therefore, Belgian health authorities recommend vaccination from the age of 65, even without other conditions. It is also necessary for those over 50 with a chronic illness, and finally for pregnant women (where, unfortunately, there is a higher risk of flu-related deaths if unvaccinated). You can obtain a standard flu vaccine from the pharmacist. A prescription is not required from the age of 50.

Fortified flu vaccines have been specially developed for the elderly, because the immune system responds less strongly to a standard flu vaccine with age . They provide a stronger immune response and therefore offer better protection against the flu and its complications. There are two brand names: Efluelda and Fluad . They require a doctor's prescription, and an application for partial reimbursement must be submitted via the patient file (only for those 65+).

The enhanced flu vaccines provide better protection against flu infection than standard vaccines in the elderly; there is a proven lower risk of hospitalization due to the flu and its consequences for the heart and lungs.

The prices of flu vaccines at the end of 2026 will be approximately the same as in 2025.[1]

Other vaccines may also be recommended. See https://www.medikwatrecht.be/en/prevention-and-vaccination/  

Your questions are always welcome!

Dr Deprost   Dr Venneman   Dr Rahoens   Dr Cil                                             nurse Marlies De Saveur

[1] Standard flu vaccines ( Alpharix® , Influvac® , Vaxigrip® , Flucelvax® ): € 4.08 for persons over 50 years of age or with a prescription; €2.45 for persons with increased reimbursement; Without reimbursement: €17.74.

High-dose flu vaccine ( Efluelda ® , Fluad ) : €7.92 with partial reimbursement, €4.71 with increased reimbursement. Without right to reimbursement: €30.87.

Covid vaccine : free (at our practice after reservation and only between 29/9 and 29/10/26, Tue-Wed-Thu 10am-4pm).

2024-03 Vaccination and prevention. New staff member.