Vaccination is not enough to fight against Covid-19.
But in the arsenal of tools we have, it is one of the main weapons.
Right at the start of the 7th epidemic wave, the campaign for second booster doses (also called “fourth doses”) is however dead calm.
The rate has never really taken off, settling between 25,000 and 30,000 bites per day on average for two months.
“It is not enough, and it is not going fast enough”, urges the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.
This campaign was opened on March 14 to over 80s and residents of Ehpad, then on April 7 to 60-79 year olds.
The immunocompromised can, for their part, receive a second “booster” since the very beginning of the year.
To date, 22% of residents aged 80 and over and 10% of those aged 60-79 have received two booster doses of vaccine.
If we focus only on those who are eligible, that is to say who received their last injection 3 or 6 months ago depending on their age, the vaccination coverage with two boosters is around 30% in each section.
"These rates are insufficient and expose a large number of elderly people to the risk of severe Covid", warns Professor Alain Fischer, President of the Vaccine Strategy Council.
No lowering of the age limit to date
In full epidemic recovery, with a number of daily cases which increases by 40% per week and a number of hospital admissions linked to Covid which is also starting to rise again, the Ministry of Health wants to put the package on the vaccination.
"It is necessary to redouble our efforts to protect fragile people, this requires vaccination and this campaign of second reminders is absolutely necessary", we insist.
Several studies have shown that a second booster dose can significantly boost vaccine protection.
“The vaccination effort must continue”, also urges Public Health France in its weekly report published on June 16.
Read alsoCovid-19 vaccination: I am under 60, can I still receive a second booster dose?
Still, several elements could explain the hesitations of a certain number of people.
On the one hand, elderly people who have been infected recently (less than 3 months ago for the over 80s or more than 6 months ago for the 60-79 year olds) must wait until they have passed this period to receive a second reminder.
Not all of them know this, as it is sometimes difficult to find your way around the rules.
In addition, new, more effective vaccines against the Omicron variant are expected in the fall.
These could be Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech messenger RNA products adapted to Omicron, or other vaccines based on other technologies (Sanofi, Novavax, etc.).
"If it is necessary to have a new booster in the fall, having one now is not a problem," wants to reassure Professor Fischer.
Finally, there are currently no plans to lower the age limit of 60 for receiving a second booster.
Health authorities believe that the immune response after an initial booster "continues to protect well" in younger adults.
