COVID Vaccination Campaign to Launch as Planned October 14 Despite Rising Cases
PARIS - French health authorities announced today they will proceed wiht the planned October 14 launch of the COVID vaccination campaign, coupled with the annual flu shot, despite recent indications of increased COVID circulation. Officials cite current epidemiological data as not warranting an acceleration of the rollout, even as consultations and viral presence in wastewater have risen in recent weeks.
The decision impacts approximately 19 million French residents considered at-risk for severe illness from respiratory infections – including those over 65, individuals with chronic conditions, and pregnant women – who are eligible for free influenza vaccination. The COVID vaccine remains fully reimbursed for all French citizens.the move comes as a new variant, dubbed XFG and part of the Omicron family, emerges, though authorities emphasize it does not currently appear more risky than previous strains.
According to ms. Semaille, data suggests stabilization in viral load detected in wastewater, though an increase in emergency room visits and potential hospitalizations is being monitored. “In wastewater, it’s starting to stabilize,” she reported. Didier Lepelletier, Director General of Health in charge of vaccination campaigns, affirmed, “We did not have the arguments on the epidemiological level to modify this date of the launch of October 14.”
Lepelletier sought to allay public concern regarding the XFG variant, sometimes referred to as ”Frankenstein” on social media. “No panic, the available vaccine is effective on this strain (and) there will be no immune exhaust linked to this particular strain,” he stated.
Health officials are strongly encouraging vaccination against both COVID and influenza, particularly given the severity of last season’s flu outbreak, which resulted in an estimated 17,000 deaths. A new weekly assessment of COVID circulation will be released this Wednesday.