Noon has not yet rung this Friday at the vaccination center of Valençay (Indre) that four unexpected visitors have already appeared.
A teenager with his mother, one who came alone, another with a friend.
“Of course, we are not going to talk about horde, but this craze surprised us, notes Dr. Sylvaine Le Liboux.
We explained to them that we could not vaccinate them before the 15th. "
It is indeed this Tuesday that the start of the vaccination of adolescents is given.
After Americans, Israelis, Singaporeans and Italians, five million French people aged 12 to 17 are now eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech's serum, the only one authorized for them.
"Young people are quite motivated, and so much the better," continues the general practitioner.
This will revive the machine because we feel that there, we have reached a brake in the appointment of adults.
"
"How far back do we have?"
An enthusiasm that is not so communicative everywhere.
“Parents have many, many questions:
what are the risks?
Can RNA Modify Genetic Capital?
What hindsight do we have?
It is up to us to provide scientific and common sense answers, in a context where the Indian variant is there and could pose a problem at the start of the school year ”, explains Professor Pierre-Louis Druais, doctor at Port-Marly (Yvelines) and member of the scientific council, responsible for enlightening the government on the epidemic.
To read also "I will make my son do it only if it is obligatory": the mixed parents vis-a-vis the vaccination of the 12-15 years
“Convincing is not so simple,” insists Margot Bayart, her colleague in Occitanie, vice-president of the MG France general practitioner union.
The specter of the hepatitis B scandal is invited in many of his consultations.
"Several times, after having argued, it ended in
Ok, we will vaccinate our child, if you do it
.
Except that this can only happen in a vaccination center!
Clearly, this data will make many hesitant backpedal, ”she regrets.
Anticipate the possible fourth wave
The debate is all the more lively among the parents of adolescents under 15 years of age as they seem to have less need for the vaccine than those who are almost adult to regain their freedom.
Especially after criticism from bodies such as the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE), not very happy that minors should bear "the responsibility for refusing vaccination of a part of the adult population" while they will withdraw from it. "limited" medical benefit.
“Patients want to know what we doctors, but also parents, we would do.
I'm glad to have kids under 12 so I don't have to answer.
Hindsight, we don't have it yet.
It's a real dilemma, ”blows a general practitioner from the north of Paris, who prefers to remain anonymous.
"The decline, we are starting to have it thanks to the United States which vaccinated more than 2 million teenagers.
There have been a few cases of myocarditis in Israel, but they are benign, ”notes Professor Rémi Salomon, representing doctors from the Hospitals of Paris and a pediatrician.
For him, there is no doubt: immunizing teenagers is "necessary".
"If, as we fear, the epidemic resumes at the start of the school year, there is less risk of school closures if they are vaccinated," he argues.
The more we anticipate the possible fourth wave, the more easily we will be able to face it.
"
Vaccination for 12-17 years old, instructions for use
For who ?
All adolescents from 12 years old.
Until now, only 16-18 year olds with severe illness could receive the vaccine.
Or ?
Only in the vaccination center, from this Tuesday, June 15.
The only authorized vaccine is the messenger RNA vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech.
Do I need an authorization?
Yes, and it must be signed by both parents.
If one of the two is absent, the second must complete it and "undertake on the honor of having previously obtained the consent of the absent parent and co-holder of parental authority", details the Ministry of Health.
On site, the presence of mom or dad is not mandatory, "but strongly recommended", support the ministry.
This authorization can already be downloaded from its site.
What about the minor's opinion?
His consent will be obtained orally, but not in writing, during “the preparatory interview for vaccination, by the health professional”. The ministry ensures that it followed the recommendations of the Ethics Committee: each minor aged 12 and over will receive “clear” information and adapt to his age before receiving the injection.