For the moment, the government is content with “solemn calls” for vaccination and the wearing of masks.

But, faced with a ninth wave of Covid-19 which is added to the epidemics of influenza and bronchiolitis, he could soon harden his position.

For the past few weeks, the health authorities have again been hammering messages of prevention to the French, while the rebound of the epidemic has taken place, in a certain general indifference.

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

He took up the terms of the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, who had 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.

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

Vaccination considered very insufficient

"The target people are the same for the flu and the Covid", recalled the minister who nevertheless underlined that the pace of vaccinations had accelerated.

Among the over 80s, about 20% received a fourth dose, 35-40% for the 60-80s.

But “it is largely insufficient,” he said.

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.


My hand will not shake if it is necessary to impose the mask in transport.

We are now facing a triple epidemic of influenza, bronchiolitis and Covid.

In order not to saturate our hospitals, I solemnly call on the French to respect barrier gestures and to get vaccinated.

pic.twitter.com/u62roEajuG

— François Braun (@FrcsBraun) December 4, 2022

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Towards the return of the mandatory mask?

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.

“The return of the compulsory mask is a political decision and it is not up to us to decide it, underlined Brigitte Autran.

But we must move towards wearing a mask as much as possible in closed places, where there is significant promiscuity ”.

François Braun, who did not wear one on the BFMTV set - because "we are not in a closed, 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.

"I follow the situation day by day and the decisions will follow its evolution," said the minister.

The executive would not have to go through the law if it were to impose the wearing of masks again.

A regulatory text would suffice, argued François Braun.

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.



An unprecedented “triple epidemic”

France is, in fact, facing a “triple epidemic”, with the simultaneous circulation of Covid, bronchiolitis and influenza, an unprecedented situation whose evolution is still difficult to predict.

The flu hits the metropolis early, and bronchiolitis has been at record levels for more than 10 years in infants.

This situation hits an already tested health system, as in other countries, notably the United States.

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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  • Covid-19

  • Health

  • Bronchiolitis

  • Flu

  • Vaccination

  • Francois Braun