Covid is a bit early. As expected this summer, when initial signs of a small epidemic resurgence were reported, the virus appears to be starting to circulate fairly widely again before the first frosts of fall. Evidence that Sars-CoV-2, although sensitive to climate and temperature, does not behave as well (or not yet) as a purely seasonal virus.
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to be much more precise than that. Epidemic surveillance has been significantly relaxed since March, stopping the recording of hospitalizations and then abandoning daily reporting of positive tests in June. Even if Covid remains a notifiable disease, it is difficult to have a very clear vision of viral circulation at any given time.
“ The incidence is believed to have increased by about thirty percent since last week. This should be taken with great caution, but the virus is circulating, each of us can see cases around us. », Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau said on Friday. Therefore, the latter decided to postpone the start of the vaccination campaign until October 2, that is, two weeks earlier than planned, thus complying with the conclusion of the Committee for Monitoring and Prediction of Health Risks (Covars), which recommends: “ access the vaccination booster as soon as possible ».
Initially, the influenza campaign was to be carried out in a group manner, starting from October 17. “ The idea was to have both injections at the same time in the same consultation, purely for logistical reasons.– recalls Odile Launet, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Paris-Cite. At the immune level, this does not change anything. The vaccine is neither more nor less effective. But as we see the current resurgence of the epidemic and the reluctance associated with the unfounded fear of adverse effects reinforced by repeated injections, Cowars reasoned that there are probably more advantages than disadvantages in separating the two campaigns. » The fear that the beginning of the academic year will give new impetus to the epidemic also played a role.
Fragile audience
Vaccination will be done with the Pfizer vaccine “ update » spring and targeting Omicron. Currently circulating subspecies are all from this family. “ The immunological data we currently have are relatively encouraging regarding the expected efficacy of these new vaccines in the face of circulating variants. »explains P.r: Jean-Daniel Lelievre, vaccination expert at the Henri-Mondor Hospital in Paris. They should offer a protection rate of about 80% to 90% against serious forms.
The Minister of Health assured that at the moment there are about 2.5 million doses, detailing that in total we will have: “ 13.5: million doses » in November. Dosages for the most sensitive groups will be available at the hospital from the end of September. Pharmacies can already order the doses that will be available from the first week of October. Two other Omicron-tailored vaccines are currently being evaluated and should also be available in the long term, one from Moderna (also with RNA, like Pfizer), the other from Novavax (a more classic technique with recombinant proteins); Pending the arrival of this second product, people over 18 who are unwilling or unable to receive an RNA vaccine will be able to offer VidPrevtyn Beta from Sanofi.
The anti-covid vaccination campaign is primarily aimed at vulnerable groups and those around them (relatives, caregivers, etc.): people over 65 years old, patients with concomitant diseases, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes. The Ministry reminds that a minimum period of six months must be observed with the previous injection. Vaccination can be administered by a doctor, nurse, midwife or even on site at a pharmacy or even a nursing home.
From October 17, the date of the start of the flu vaccination campaign, both injections can be given at the same time. The covid vaccine will be completely free, the flu vaccine only for the target audience. If the Covid vaccination is open to all, “ for healthy young adults, unless you want to protect a fragile loved one, there’s no real reason to vaccinate », thinks Jean Daniel Lelievre. But for the most vulnerable people, on the other hand, a booster with the new vaccine is especially recommended; “ The protection provided by RNA vaccines is relatively short-livedemphasizes Odile Launay. However, the spring vaccination campaign met with very low support. Many frail people have not received a booster for at least eight months and are currently particularly vulnerable. »
Source: Le Figaro
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