Covid-19 Cases Tick Up in France, Health Authorities Urge Vigilance Ahead of Fall Vaccination Campaign
Paris, France – October 8, 2025 – French health authorities are calling for vigilance as Covid-19 cases show a slight increase, though remain at moderate levels comparable to last year. Public health France reported 2,054 visits to emergency rooms for suspected Covid-19 last week, representing 0.6% of all visits – up from 0.5% the previous week. Hospitalizations also rose to 790, or 1.1% of all hospitalizations, compared to 0.9% the week prior.
despite the uptick, officials emphasize the situation is not worsening and does not warrant an immediate acceleration of the vaccination campaign, currently scheduled to launch on Tuesday, October 14.The campaign will be combined with annual flu vaccinations and will initially target 19 million French individuals at risk of complications, especially those over 65.
The health authorities, including the General Directorate of Health, confirmed there is no “epidemiological” argument to move the vaccination date forward. Both vaccines can be administered simultaneously, and there is no required waiting period between doses. Annual Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 65 and over, though any French resident can opt to receive a dose.
Only one vaccine,Comirnaty JN.1 from Pfizer/BioNTech, will be offered this fall. The vaccination will be fully covered by Health Insurance and administered by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, and qualified medical/pharmacy students. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation,noting an increase in virus detection in wastewater while maintaining that the overall picture remains moderate.
