The French were said to be reticent about vaccines.
Convincing them was ultimately less difficult than expected.
The campaign against the flu that started on October 13, particularly important this year in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, is experiencing unparalleled success.
At the risk of causing a shortage of doses?
For a week, pharmacies have not been empty.
"We delivered between 5 million and 5.3 million doses," confirms the Parisian Gilles Bonnefond, president of the Union of Unions of Community Pharmacists (USPO).
Or, in seven days, half of all the vaccines carried out during the 2019 campaign. "Yes that is called a success", rejoices Gilles Bonnefond.
"The first day, we had 400,000 people vaccinated, it's simply unheard of," notes Philippe Besset, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF).
READ ALSO>
Flu: "It is essential that the entire population is vaccinated"
How to explain it?
“When there is danger, the French find their good reflexes.
I think that's a good thing, it's the only good thing that the Covid has created.
This sensitivity to barrier gestures, to wearing a mask, has proven that a crisis situation can raise awareness of health and prevention, ”replied the pharmacist.
Avoid "epidemic cohabitation"
Another reason for satisfaction for Gilles Bonnefond: the profile of future vaccinated.
“These are people who come with care vouchers, people who are fragile,” he says.
This means that the message has passed.
The High Authority for Health (HAS), in its opinion of May 20, 2020, insisted on the need to vaccinate as a priority the people eligible for vaccination but also those at risk of serious infection with Covid-19.
If the vaccine does not protect against the new coronavirus, it could limit the coexistence of diseases.
The latter could lead, according to health authorities, to a risk of saturation of resuscitation services, more than feared in the middle of the second epidemic wave.
Hence the capital importance of this campaign for the authorities, who hope that it will lead to 75% vaccination "coverage".
"By the end of the week, 50% of pharmacies will be out of stock"
The satisfaction of professionals is however coupled with a strong concern.
Will it be possible to keep up?
“By the end of the week, 50% of pharmacies will be out of stock,” predicts Gilles Bonnefond.
“We will go to the end of the 13 million planned for this campaign.
After all, we are in the bath, we must swim.
Perhaps the State will buy it from other European countries, ”hopes Philippe Besset.
When contacted, the Directorate General of Health was not available to answer our questions on this subject.
The Ministry of Health had however anticipated.
"For the first time, in addition to orders from pharmacies, we have secured government orders and we have 30% more vaccine doses compared to previous years", Olivier Véran said during a hearing in the Senate on September 24.
Laboratories have increased their production by 20% to meet demand.
A lack of anticipation?
Problem: pharmacies say they can't see the color.
“Some of the doses have gone to hospital, there is great success among health professionals, we also see that people in pharmacies and nursing homes are vaccinated.
But where is the rest?
The laboratories will have to speed up deliveries and get the doses out of their refrigerators, ”insists Gilles Bonnefond.
Newsletter - Most of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le Parisien
I'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to enable you to receive our news and commercial offers.
Learn more
Should I order more?
Difficult to anticipate, assures Philippe Besset.
“We, the pharmacies, placed an order in February and we have already increased the orders, not because of the Covid but because this is the second year that pharmacists have vaccinated.
We told ourselves that with ease, there would be more people who would come, specifies the pharmacist.
What it shows, however, is that it will be necessary to anticipate the Covid vaccination that will follow.
"
