The government's ambition is clear: to accelerate as best it can the vaccination campaign for children against Covid-19, when only 3.5% of 5 to 11 year olds have received a first dose.
He thus authorized new professions to vaccinate this minor public, in a decree published in the Official Journal on Thursday.
In this text, where it is recalled that "the widest possible protection by vaccination of the population is essential", the executive insists on the need to "extend the list of health professionals, health students and other professionals who may intervene to prescribe, administer or inject pediatric vaccines”.
A promise from Castex
Pharmacists, firefighters (from the battalion of Marseille firefighters and the Paris fire brigade), dental surgeons, midwives and even medical students are concerned, and this from Friday.
This expansion of skills to other healthcare professions follows a promise from Jean Castex, who pledged in mid-January to make things easier by “authorizing more places and professionals, including pharmacists”, to vaccinate children.
Currently, only doctors, pediatricians or nurses (on medical prescription) can perform these injections and remember that only the Pfizer vaccine can currently be administered to children under 12 years old.
It has been two months since the European Medicines Agency gave the green light for all countries to vaccinate minors.
However, the vaccination rate for 5-11 year olds in France remains well below the figures found in our main neighbours.