The European Medicines Agency is due to vote on the vaccination of adolescents on Monday, which could lead to an expansion of the campaign to over 16s from June in France.
Alain Fischer, the "Mr. Vaccine" of the government, has however ruled out, for the moment, the idea of a vaccination for those under 12 years old.
The Covid-19 vaccination campaign could soon benefit adolescents.
The European Medicines Agency must decide by Monday on this subject.
A vaccination that could start quickly in France, and expand at the start of the school year.
According to Professor Alain Fischer, who advises the government, the target could be extended to all 16-18 year olds from June.
>> LIVE
- Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Wednesday, May 26
Collective benefit
Why are the over 16s a priority?
Quite simply because there is already a vaccine authorized for them: that of Pfizer.
Also, while the vaccination schedule has just been extended, in France, to all adults from May 31 - instead of June 15 -, the government's "Monsieur Vaccin" declared last Friday on BFM-TV that 16-18 year olds could also be "very quickly" eligible for vaccination.
"During June, it will be feasible," he said.
Such a vaccination would above all have a collective benefit because adolescents, even if they are less affected by severe forms of Covid-19, can transmit the virus.
>> Find the morning show of the day in replay and podcast here
Vaccination for over 12s "under study"
As for adolescents aged 12 to 16, they will be affected later - perhaps at the start of the September - if the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines obtain marketing authorization for that age.
At the Ministry of Health, it is confirmed that this vaccination of over 12 years "is under study, but nothing is decided," they say.
Regarding children under 12, their vaccination is not on the agenda.
Clinical trials for these children are only just beginning and results are not expected until 2022.