Covid-19: The vaccination campaign brought forward to October 2 due to a resumption of the epidemic

Reminder Vaccination was to start at the same time as flu vaccination, on October 17

More than two million doses are currently available, a figure which will be multiplied by five by two months. — Frederic J. BROWN/AFP

Face to face an increase in the circulation of the Covid-19 virus, the Minister of Health Aurélien Rousseau decided to to bring forward the vaccination campaign by two weeks, to October 2, he announced. Friday. Vaccination for the most vulnerable was initially supposed to be carried out at the same time as that of the flu, at a later date. from October 17, but the minister will follow the advice of the Committee monitoring and anticipation of health risks (Covars) which recommends “access’to the vaccination booster as soon as possible».

“Faced with uncertainties about the evolution of the circulation of the virus, I requested a request for assistance. on September 8, Covars asked them whether it was necessary to accelerate the opening of the vaccination campaign against Covid, detailed The Minister. “I have just received Professor Brigitte Autran, its president, who gave me the opinion of September 15 advocating opening up vaccination more quickly to vulnerable people more directly exposed to virus,” he continued. This decision follows a “simple observation”: the Covid-19 epidemic is here.

The over 65s, priority target

< p>In France, the virus surveillance system has been strengthened. considerably lightened and is currently close to that of the flu. In this context, it is difficult to closely monitor the circulation of the virus. “It is believed that the incidence has increased by around thirty percent since last week, it’s up to 30% since last week. take with great caution but the virus is circulating, each of us can see cases around us,” noted Aurélien Rousseau.

Vaccination will mainly target those over 65, fragile people, suffering from comorbidity ;s, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and people living in contact with vulnerable people. It will initially use the new Pfizer vaccine, adapted to to the current majority circulating variant, XBB.1.5. Some 2.5 million doses are currently available, said the minister, specifying that in total there would be “13.5 million doses” by November.