Will getting vaccinated before the holidays be an obstacle course? While Covid infections are rising again and many French people are preparing to find their loved ones, the demand for the fourth dose is increasing again. But it won’t necessarily be easy for everyone to get their reminder on time.
Out of stock?
First problem, vaccine stocks may not be enough to meet the increased demand. The test is carried out by one of our journalists in the pharmacy. When asked if he can be vaccinated against Covid, he receives a positive answer. “But we have a minimum period of 3 weeks”, however the pharmacist specifies.
In the three Parisian pharmacies tested by BFMTV, all agreed, however, to vaccinate our journalist.
Another difficulty, vagueness has long dominated the possibility or not of the entire population being vaccinated. Does everyone know that the vaccine is open to everyone? Are pharmacists prepared to receive volunteers? Do you have the necessary stocks?
“I think there is a problem with the vaccine stocks,” says another pharmacist despite everything.
Regarding the opening of vaccination to everyone, “it is not clear”, adds a professional in a pharmacy. “The order from the pharmacists has asked the Government for clarification so that we can extend (vaccination) to everyone without distinction, but for now there is no response,” he says.
Given the vagueness of the environment, the Minister of Health wanted to clarify things once and for all this Friday. “Anyone can get vaccinated,” she said on BFMTV, in response to questions about access to the vaccine for people not considered at risk.
Yet the timing makes the National Pharmacists Union shudder. “The announcement is made on a Friday, our vaccine stock orders are placed no later than Monday or Tuesday. Surely we will not have enough vaccine stocks to cover the needs of next week (…), so we will be forced to prioritize the public, “said its secretary general, Éric Myon.
executive blur
The executive had previously criticized for several weeks access to the fourth dose for all French people. The Prime Minister encouraged the French this week to get his reminder. “You have to be aware of fragile people getting vaccinated if you have to go see your family during the holidays,” he called.
However, the president of the Union of Pharmacists Unions, Pierre-Olivier Variot, denounced this week on BFMTV the absence of “clear rules”. Some people, not considered at risk, have been turned away at pharmacies.
few vaccinated
The government initially opted to target only frail people and their families when the vaccination reminder expired. “If you are 60 years of age or older, if you are a carrier of a disease or if you are in daily contact with frail or elderly people, get vaccinated against Covid if you are not up to date with your retirement”, Olivier Véran encouraged at the beginning. from December
“If you go to your pharmacist and say: ‘I’m going to see my grandmother during the holidays’, you have free access to the vaccine,” Élisabeth Borne assured at the beginning of December, hinting that the vaccination was only open. the most vulnerable and their loved ones. “Everyone has to go,” she asked at the same time.
Currently, the anti-Covid vaccination campaign is experiencing difficulties. Only 20% of those over 80 received a 4th dose.
Source: BFM TV
