France’s top scientists agree that an extremely high vaccination rate is necessary to defeat the Delta variant. “We will not get the epidemic under control if 90 to 95 percent of the population are not vaccinated and infected,” said the government’s scientific advisory board on Friday.
Given the increasing number of cases, a fourth wave related to the delta variant could emerge quickly, with implications for the healthcare system.
In France, only about half of the population has received a first dose of vaccine so far, 40 percent have been vaccinated twice. The government’s goal is to fully vaccinate two-thirds of the population by the end of August.
By the end of June, a total of over 4.4 million people in Switzerland had received at least one dose and over 3.1 million had already received two doses.
Don’t wait until after the summer vacation
“If people wait until after the summer vacation to be vaccinated, it will be too late,” said the epidemiologist and member of the advisory board, Arnaud Fontanet (60), the RTL broadcaster. The delta variant, which is considered to be more contagious, is already responsible for half of all new infections with the corona virus in France.
The French government is expected to introduce mandatory vaccination for health and nursing staff in the near future, and a special meeting is planned on Monday.
On Monday evening, President Emmanuel Macron (43) wants to explain the new measures in the fight against the Delta variant on television. (SDA)