Anne, 55 years old from Strasbourg, made an appointment for her third anti-Covid dose on December 1 at 9.20 am, "the first slot available near me on Doctolib".
Since, on November 9, the Head of State announced that the 50-64 year olds will be able - without conditioning it with the validity of their health pass - to be vaccinated a third time at the beginning of December, the Alsatian didn't want to wait any longer.
Because the epidemic is on the rise again, as evidenced by the incidence rate which has just risen above 100 in the country for the first time in two months.
"My immune system does not have the same vigor as that of a young girl," jokes the fifty.
Indeed, studies show that in those over 50 (even more in those over 65), the protection offered by the first two doses declines after six months.
"We can now make an appointment", we confirm at Doctolib.
As you can already reserve a time slot by calling your doctor, pharmacist or a vaccination center directly.
When can you get your booster shot?
“It all depends on his last vaccination, points out Claude Leicher, general practitioner in Drôme. If you have received Pfizer or Moderna, it is recommended that you resume your appointment after six months. »Just look on your health pass for the date of your second injection. If it is before June 1, you are eligible as of December 1. "If, on the other hand, you had opted for Janssen (single dose), we recommend the booster shot after four weeks", insists the High Authority of Health (HAS). With this serum, the protection is indeed of very short duration and moreover much less important.
“The two vaccines authorized for the booster, Pfizer and Moderna, can be used interchangeably,” explains Doctolib.
Without the six-month interval before the reminder, it is impossible to block an appointment on the Doctolib platform for 50-64 year olds.
But it is possible to try your luck live.
“As usual, it all depends on common sense and the goodwill of the person doing the vaccination.
If you come a few days before the fateful date because you have to go on a trip a month, personally, I would vaccinate you, ”says Dr Leicher.
Is it necessary if we have had the Covid since our second dose?
Like the full vaccination schedule, is an infection worth a booster shot?
The answer is not obvious.
"A study is underway for those who have had a history of Covid", we entrust to the High Authority of Health (HAS), which has not yet decided.
"In this case, there is no urgency," replied Dr Leicher.
Waiting at least two months after it heals seems the right option.
"
Will it be necessary to multiply the booster doses?
Since the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases after six months, one can wonder whether it will not be necessary to go through the vaccine box every six months.
"It's unlikely," says Dr Leicher.
Unless an even more contagious variant is needed.
It should be remembered that if the third dose is proposed, it is because the Delta has an R0 of 6
(the average number of individuals infected by a single patient).
"
