Will the French vaccine arrive in time against the Covid-19 pandemic?
Asked about FranceInfo this Monday morning, the Deputy Minister for Industry, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, was optimistic about the usefulness and effectiveness of this tricolor product to counter the virus.
Read also: Covid-19: Sanofi increases its efforts in vaccine production
The results of phase 2 of the Sanofi vaccine "
are excellent in terms of protection
", assured the minister. In addition, the pharmaceutical group is working "
on recalls
", obtaining "
excellent results, perhaps more promising [...] than the messenger RNA recalls
" from Moderna and Pfizer, widely used in France. Her vaccine could be used for "
the third dose, the booster for the population who would have been vaccinated at this time,
" she said, if a booster is necessary in the eyes of the health authorities. Those affected “
may have a choice
” of which vaccine is used.
In addition, the Sanofi vaccine could convince the last skeptical individuals, wanted to believe the Minister Delegate. “
We have a commitment to the French vaccine which is quite important, there is a psychological effect. I couldn't explain it, but it is a reality, in terms of membership,
”she said.
This product has the other advantage of being easier to store than that of Pfizer, with a "
fairly simple logistics mode
" and a lower price than the doses of messenger RNA: it can therefore "
help to vaccinate the planet.
".
A "
contract
" with Sanofi is being negotiated at the European level, also specified Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
Monday, the boss of the pharmaceutical group, Olivier Bogillot, indicated that this product would be available "
by December
".
"
We attacked our phase 3 studies
," he added on France Inter.
Read also: Covid-19: half of the French population has received at least one dose of vaccine
Sanofi's vaccine could thus join the European Union's arsenal against Covid-19 by the end of the year, alongside those of Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
However, its doses may arrive too late to participate in most of the French vaccine campaign: by the end of August, the executive intends to have offered a first injection to 40 million French people, or 75% of adults, and 35 million people, or two-thirds of adults, will need a full immunization schedule.
Compulsory vaccination is not yet decided
However, these objectives will depend on the daily rhythm of the injections: the number of first doses administered has fallen sharply in recent weeks, but Agnès Pannier-Runacher said she was confident about the "
responsibility
" of the French. The number of doses is no longer a problem: "
the rhythm of deliveries will continue in a sustained manner
", the stake is now to "
convince the French to be vaccinated
", she noted.
For the time being, the question of a vaccination obligation for caregivers has not yet been decided, said the minister. "
We do not want to force things,
" she said, wishing for "an
approach as consensual as possible
". The government will decide "
according to our feeling of the best decision to be taken to protect the French
". Agnès Pannier-Runacher, however, has not commented on a vaccination obligation for the general population or for other professions. “
Everything in due time, in good order,
” she said simply.
The question of reimbursement of comfort tests for unvaccinated people "
is also on the table
", warned the minister. The free of these tests "
can be a brake on the vaccination
", at the same time as a significant cost for the public finances, but no final decision is taken for the moment, she noted.
