Vaccination reminder: will France have enough doses? – LCI

As everywhere in Europe, the epidemic resumption is confirmed in France, with more than 10,000 new contaminations this beginning of the week. A record rate since the end of September. Faced with the resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic, the government is working hard.

As of September, people over 65 and over who have been doubly vaccinated for more than six months can receive a third dose. This week, Emmanuel Macron also announced that the same age group had to undergo this booster dose before mid-December, subject to having their health pass suspended.

On December 1, it will be the turn of 50-64 year olds to be able to have a third dose administered, without however having their health pass subject to it. Caregivers and people with co-morbidities are also eligible for the third dose regardless of their age. But they will not be deprived of their pass in the absence of a booster dose, assured the Elysee.

A question nevertheless arises: will France have enough doses of vaccine?

As of November 11, 2021, more than 6 million of our seniors are eligible for the booster, according to figures from Public Health France. Among them, 3.9 million have already reached out for a third time. Only 2 million are still missing.

On December 15, when their health pass may no longer be valid, more than 9 million will be eligible, including those who have already received their 3rd dose. They will be added to the almost 12 million 50-64 year olds authorized to be tripled vaccinated from December 1, according to the same data from the ministry.

A few quick calculations suggest that at least 17 million doses – 12 million 50-64 year olds and the almost 5 million remaining 65 years and older not triply-vaccinated – will be needed to ensure all new injections by mid-year. -December.

But for what type of vaccine? In a press release at the end of August, the Haute Autorité de Santé leaves carte blanche for people aged 50 and over, estimating “That there is no sufficient argument, to date, to preferentially recommend one vaccine over the other for the booster dose”. For the authority, “The two available mRNA vaccines are both very effective against severe forms of Covid-19, including those related to the Delta variant.”

At the beginning of November, she specifies: the Moderna vaccine is too risky for those under 30. Reaction on the government side, the Ministry of Health announces that it is following this recommendation and suspending the Moderna vaccine for the youngest.

Where can you find all these doses? According to the latest figures from the Directorate General of Health, 1.8 million doses of Pfizer vaccine and 2.1 million doses of Moderna vaccine will be delivered every week in November. It will be a little more the following month. In December, health authorities will receive 2.3 million Pfizer doses and 1.9 million Moderna doses every week.