Since Monday, August 30, 2021, it is possible to make an appointment to receive a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The campaign was launched two days later and 200,000 appointments have already been made.
It’s official : the third dose campaign (or rather, the additional dose) was launched in France on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. People the oldest (over 80 years old), immunocompromised and / or likely to develop a serious form of the disease are the main ones affected by this recall. The objective: compensate for the decrease in vaccine effectiveness, which can occur several months after vaccination. “With this reminder, you will be armed for the months to come“, said Olivier Véran, Minister of Health, to a person to receive a new injection in a Parisian vaccination center. Soon, the campaign will be extended to more than 65 years, as well as other vulnerable people. Namely: it is necessary that six months may have elapsed between two injections in order to qualify. During a press briefing, the minister announced that 200,000 people had already made an appointment to receive a booster dose.
A minority of French people concerned
In total, the Ministry of Health estimates that 18 million French people should be concerned by this third injection in view of the signs of weakening of the vaccines injected, in particular in the face of the Delta variant, which is particularly contagious. Olivier Véran assures him: “There is no risk in having a third injection “, before adding thata booster dose was not considered for the general population. For now, the sanitary pass therefore remains valid, with or without additional injection.
However, the subject of the third dose continues to divide the French.. And for good reason: as Les Echos reminds us, the European Medicines Agency has not yet given its authorization for the injection of a third dose, which has prompted the European Commission to warn states embarking on this path (like France, Belgium or Austria). The latter are exposed to increased legal risks in case of unexpected side effects.