For more than an hour, on BFMTV, the renowned immunologist Alain Fischer, in charge of the vaccination campaign in France, scanned many subjects of concern of the French in the face of the virus and its variants.
If he wanted to share, on several occasions, "his apologies" concerning the rate of vaccination which frustrate certain audiences awaiting protection, he asked the population for patience.
For the time being, 2,901,861 first injections have been carried out in France, where the death toll stands at more than 80,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus.
Calendar by age group, arrivals of future vaccines, efficacy against variants, side effects… This is what should be remembered from his intervention.
Are vaccines effective against variants?
This is THE question millions of French people ask themselves.
On this point, the immunologist wanted to differentiate the variant that emerged in the United Kingdom from the two others, from South Africa and Brazil.
“The vaccines we have are no less effective against the English variant.
The other two are more boring, ”said Alain Fischer on the set of Bruce Toussaint.
He recalled in particular that the natural immunity, that is to say the possibility of being re-infected despite a first infection with Covid-19, was insufficient in the face of the two other variants.
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“The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are less effective against variants from Brazil and South Africa but that would be sufficient, especially against severe forms.
Rather, there is reason to be reassured, ”he cautiously replied.
It would be the same for the solution proposed by AstraZeneca, effective "against severe forms".
The specialist also wanted to dispel doubts against the British and Swedish vaccine, which caused side effects in caregivers last week.
“It's not at a discount, it's a good vaccine.
You have to use it.
"He even puts forward a new reason for these fevers and other pains felt by caregivers:" There is a working hypothesis that it is those who have already had the Covid who have side effects ", revealed the immunologist .
A single injection, as the High Authority for Health (HAS) has now recommended, could then be sufficient for this public.
How will the pace of the vaccination campaign accelerate?
On Twitter, in recorded video or live, many French people also wanted to know when they can finally get vaccinated.
Francisco Garcia, president of the National Union of Retired and Elderly People, which brings together 70,000 members, thus wished to understand the lack of slots for getting vaccinated.
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“The number of vaccines available does not allow us to go any faster.
But when possible, as I have sometimes seen, I invite these people to register on pre-registration lists.
We hope to be at four million first injections at the end of February and eight million at the end of March, ”announced the Mister government vaccine.
While explaining that protection against Covid-19 began 12 days after the first injection.
For those over 65, who are impatiently waiting to be vaccinated, it will be necessary to wait until April and the hoped-for arrival of Janssen's vaccine.
“It should soon be validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The results with a single dose are interesting, ”he said on BFMTV.
To find "a normal life", it will be necessary to wait this summer, "if everything goes as planned".
"We will then have 20 million vaccinated and six different vaccines," he hopes.
However, the vaccination passport is not "topical before having offered an injection to everyone".
"Especially since we do not yet know the effect of vaccines on the prevention of transmission, or their duration of effectiveness," said Alain Fischer.
For Moselle, particularly affected by variants, the professor also considered “logical to offer more rapid vaccination to caregivers.
This will affect 10,000 more people, ”he said.
The upcoming vaccination by general practitioners but also pharmacists is eagerly awaited.
"We do not yet know whether there will be small quantities of vials in many pharmacies or large quantities in fewer pharmacies," said Alain Fischer, however.
Duration of effectiveness and anti-vaccine
The renowned professor was also there to defend the French strategy and promote the effectiveness of vaccines.
“We are in line with the vaccination rate of the European community.
Starting with nursing homes is more complex, hence the slow start, ”he was satisfied, conceding that only the United Kingdom and its strategy of the first dose, as well as Israel, were ahead.
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Asked by French skeptics about the duration of the effectiveness of vaccination or retirees who have just been vaccinated, Alain Fischer said his "hope that the effect of a vaccine lasts several months" and gave them an appointment at fall to revisit this topic.
He also reassured people with allergies by inviting them to go for the vaccine, recalling that there were few side effects.
The specialist concluded this hour of questions and answers with a message for the French who do not wish to receive an injection.
“These vaccines were produced very quickly, yes, but good.
It's great !
The French are not guinea pigs.
These vaccines have been tested on tens of thousands of people in clinical trials.
If you are free not to do so, it would be logical for them to revise their position, ”he concluded, hoping to be heard by those who hold back.
