France: Covid-19: Primary vaccination for general population no longer recommended

It's another step towards the annualization of the booster dose of vaccination against Covid-19. In an opinion requested by the health ministry ahead of the next vaccination campaign, published on Friday, February 24, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) recommended that an extra dose be offered in the fall to those most at risk of developing severe forms of the disease.

For the sake of simplicity and for logistical reasons, the independent authority, whose opinion is generally followed by the government, has recommended combining this vaccination campaign with the flu campaign, as was the case in the fall of 2022.

The individuals concerned by this booster remain the same as in the previous campaign: all people aged 65 and over, those suffering from co-morbidities (hypertension, heart, vascular, liver, kidney or lung problems, diabetes, obesity, cancer, people with transplants, people with Down's syndrome, psychiatric disorders or dementia), pregnant women, and people with immunodeficiency. And finally, individuals living with or in regular contact with immunocompromised or vulnerable people, including health professionals and those working in medical-social organizations.