France plans to vaccinate the first million people in January

Prime Minister Jean Castex unveiled France's vaccination strategy on Thursday BENOIT TESSIER / AFP

France will begin vaccinating the first million citizens in January, once the European and French health authorities have given their approval to the first two most promising vaccines, those from Pfizer / BioNtech and Moderna, before the end of 2020. announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex, the vaccination, which will be free - and voluntary - for all French people, will be carried out "progressively" in three major stages until spring, the first of which will benefit the elderly in nursing homes and vulnerable staff who care for them.

In total, France foresees a "potential" of 200 million doses, for a total of 100 million people, a figure higher than the French population - 67 million - to have a "safety margin".

"The start of vaccination is already a matter of weeks," said Castex at a press conference to unveil the national strategy, after receiving the Government this week the recommendations of the High Health Authority (HAS).

As indicated, the European Medicines Agency is expected to rule on the first two vaccines "before December 29".

Then, it will be the HAS that must issue its verdict, two stages that "are essential guarantees" to start the vaccination campaign from January, he has limited.

"The vaccines will be free," Castex stressed, explaining that the Government has planned a budget of 1,500 million euros for this in the 2021 budget.

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Finally, the gala vaccination campaign, which for the sake of "transparency" will be presented this month to the National Assembly, will have a total of three stages - two less than the one proposed by the HAS - and will be coordinated by the professor of immunology Alain Fischer.

Residence users and employees first

In the first month of the year, those vaccinated will be the around 750,000 elderly people who live in residences throughout the country and the staff who care for them who may be vulnerable due to age or health problems.

In all, a million people, Castex said.

The "phase two" will affect an additional 14 million people, considered vulnerable either by age - it will start with those over 75 years of age, then those over 65 - or comorbidity factors, as well as medical personnel over 50 years of age and / or or vulnerable.

Once this stage is over, the spring will enter the third phase or "mass vaccination", as defined by the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran.

Although it will now be open to the entire adult population, it will also start with people between 50 and 64 years of age, professionals from “essential” sectors and people in a precarious or vulnerable situation, as well as those who take care of them, in addition to people confined in closed places, he explained.

Skepticism around the vaccine

The Government has been very careful to emphasize both the voluntary nature of vaccination and the "safety" and "transparency" of the process, in an attempt to overcome the reluctance of the French, the most skeptical European population regarding vaccines, according to the surveys.

In June 2019, when no one even knew what covid-19 was, a study indicated that one in three French people think that vaccines are not safe, as

Le Figaro

recalled

.

A report by the Jean-Jaurès Foundation published in November confirmed that the coronavirus pandemic has not fundamentally changed this perception: only 54% of the French say they will be vaccinated against covid-19, a figure well below the 64% of Spanish or American, 69% German or 79% British.

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"Trust must be restored, and that is not something vertical, it involves all stakeholders, starting with health professionals who must be convinced about the benefits of the vaccine," recognized the immunologist Fischer.

"Before immunizing ourselves against the virus, we must immunize ourselves against fear," said Véran, who stressed that "three principles will be respected" throughout the campaign: "The free choice of patients, free vaccines and security ”.

The vaccination strategy is known in full confinement of the French, although since last weekend it has been softer.

As of December 15, the French will move to a new curfew, but will now be able to move freely between departments.

They will also be able to celebrate the Christmas holidays, although Castex has stressed that the Government "recommends" not to exceed six adults per meeting, not counting children.

Although France has managed to lower the circulation figures of the virus "faster and stronger" than other European countries, according to Castex, the Executive has called for prudence and has stressed the importance of not lowering the guard even when vaccinations begin.

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