"Solemn appeal" to vaccination and wearing a mask.

While a ninth wave of Covid-19 - which is added to the epidemics of influenza and bronchiolitis - is sweeping over France in a certain indifference, the health authorities and the government are multiplying prevention messages.

Sunday on BFMTV, the Minister of Health, François Braun, launched a “solemn appeal” to encourage the most fragile to be vaccinated.

"It's still totally absurd, we have the means to protect ourselves and the French do not get vaccinated," he lamented.

And to recall: “The target people are the same as for the flu and the Covid.

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He took up the terms of the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, who called on Tuesday for respect for barrier gestures, as the end of the year celebrations approached, a period of family gatherings conducive to the transmission of viruses.

"The pace has accelerated a little over the past week": among the over 80s, around 20% have received a fourth dose, 35-40% for the 60-80s, but "this is largely insufficient", added he estimated.

The delicate question of wearing a mask in transport

Before him, Brigitte Autran, president of the Committee for monitoring and anticipating health risks (Covars) which replaced the scientific council, was moved on Sunday by the "disappointing" level of vaccination against Covid-19.

“We have the same problem with the flu: there is a lower level of vaccination this year, compared to previous years.

The French really need to protect themselves, ”urged the scientist in an interview with Sunday newspaper (JDD).

According to the latest figures, about five million French people have been vaccinated against the flu, 13% less than last year.



Another aspect in the fight against the Covid, the delicate question of wearing a mask in certain places such as public transport arises again for the executive.

The government only wants to be an incentive, but caregivers and epidemiologists urge it to harden its position by imposing it.

François Braun, who did not wear one on the BFMTV set - because "we are not in an enclosed, promiscuous place" - recalled that he was "not in favor of coercion".

But if the numbers continue to rise and if an obligation has to be decided, "my arm will not shake", he assured.

What criteria could decide him to take such a step?

"The saturation of hospitals or the evolution of the flu epidemic" in particular, replied the Minister of Health.

The Covars will give "a full opinion" on the epidemic situation at the end of the week or at the beginning of the next.

An opinion that the government may well decide to follow.

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  • Health

  • Health Minister

  • Francois Braun

  • Coronavirus

  • Covid-19

  • Covid vaccine

  • Vaccination