Illustration of an AstraZeneca vaccine.

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ELIOT BLONDET-POOL / SIPA

  • Jean Castex assured it Thursday evening: the government aims to open vaccination to people over 65 in mid-April and to have vaccinated all adults who wish by the end of the summer.

  • If the meeting platforms say they are optimistic and the figures are climbing, many French people, despite having priority, are still waiting their turn.

  • Deficient organization, difficulty for the elderly uncomfortable with digital technology, canceled appointments… Some have entrusted

    their

    obstacle

    course

    to

    20 Minutes

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    Which could improve in the coming weeks, provided that France receives the doses promised by the laboratories.

“For several weeks, I have been trying to have an appointment for the first injection of the vaccine on Doctolib, and each time I am told that it is complete, explains Marlène, 82 years old, an Internet user who answered our call. to testimonials.

I spoke to my GP, who advised me to call the vaccination center.

And there, an answering machine told me to make an appointment via Doctolib… ”

France has taken on the air of "Absurdistan" lately.

Because some citizens, however priority, may scramble to get vaccinated against Covid-19 ... They are nothing.

"There are 800 appointments pending, please try to call back later"

However, the government claims to have succeeded in accelerating the pace.

Saturday March 13, Jean Castex was pleased that 5 million French people have benefited from a first injection.

A week later, that figure reached 5.8 million.

And while some patients refuse the Covid-19 vaccines, many are eagerly awaiting their turn.

And regret that the system is impractical and not very transparent.

Gisèle, 75, tries somehow to find a date for her husband.

“For more than two months, it has been impossible.

We just had a date with our doctor for April 9, "if he's getting any vaccines," and we don't know from which lab.

The media tell us wonders.

But the vaccines at the pharmacist, it is "impossible".

And Doctolib does not offer a date, you must always call back later.

"

Arnaud, a 53-year-old Pas-de-Calais resident with comorbidity, also describes his obstacle course.

“I received the letter from Social Security on March 6 telling me that I was eligible with the Astrazaneca.

My attending physician decided not to vaccinate.

So I phone the clinic in my city, Hénin-Beaumont, specifying that I have the mail.

I am told that it is good, but that it will be necessary to recall in April.

So I try occupational medicine, which replies that it is not yet operational.

I consult santé.fr every day, "there are 800 pending appointments, please try to call back later".

I do not know what to do.

"

"We are all dependent on doses, we all have parents that we would like to bring for vaccination, we are justified on the side of Maiia, one of the three platforms, with Doctolib and Keldoc, on which the French can make an appointment to go to vaccination centers or town offices.

It deposits: on our platform, we open slots every day.

When there is no more, look the next day or the center next door.

"As long as you can drive several kilometers ...

Meetings impossible ... or canceled

Another somewhat frustrating case: some get an appointment but, surprise, it is canceled at the last minute.

This is the case of Christian, 64, who was to be vaccinated this Friday, March 19.

“My appointment was canceled by my GP, because no delivery this week for them!

"In vaccination centers (with Pfizer)," it remains marginal ", we are assured at Maiia.

Some also tell of the available slot on which they jumped at 3am in the morning in front of their computer.

And the false joys.

After questioning the appointment site 5 to 6 times a day, Daniel, 80, suffering from asthma, respiratory failure and cancer, had "twice in a row" a touch, which disappeared by the time I complete the appropriate reservation form.

Finally, her doctor got her the precious sesame in early March at a vaccination center 12 km from her home.

“Many of us are unable to do the IT legwork and have to call on our children, who struggle with these thankless, unnecessary and frustrating steps.

"

"This organization is lamentable"

Many regret the gap between the enthusiastic communication of the government… and the reality on the ground.

“Since January, every week, I try to register by Internet, says Jean-Michel, 76 years old.

I consistently find this: "Due to high demand and a limited number of doses, no vaccine window is available at this center."

At the same time, it is announced: "1,349 vaccinations will take place in the next 28 days".

Who are these people and how do they manage to be vaccinated, since, week after week, we do not take registrations?

"

“This organization is lamentable, storm Simone, 88 years old and hemiplegic.

No need to parade with evacuations by helicopter and plane for a few patients.

My attending physician would like to organize a vaccination round for his patients at home, but nothing is planned for this.

"

Better yet?

A dead end that is likely to last?

Things should normally improve in April.

First, because many doses are expected: 32 million all laboratories combined if further delays are not announced by then.

But also because the slots on weekends must continue to multiply, as well as the places for vaccination.

And because pharmacists will be able to start vaccinating.

"We see an increase in the number of niches, particularly linked to local initiatives," we say at Maiia.

Thus, in Marseille, the Velodrome must vaccinate between 1,000 and 1,500 people per day since this week.

»Other vaccinodromes are planned, especially in Pays-de-la-Loire.

An optimism shared by Doctolib, who assured a few weeks ago that things should settle down at the end of March.

And which displays a regular increase in appointments made for vaccination on its site.

There remains the question about AstraZeneca.

After three days of suspension, the High Authority of Health decided this Friday to maintain the use of this vaccine for those over 55 years old.

Which promises some readjustments.

Will some give up making an appointment?

Will this free up slots for priority people?

"We will have to wait a few weeks before seeing if there is a direct effect on reservations", responds from Maiia.

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