Yasmina Kattou with AFP 7:30 p.m., December 09, 2022

A few days before the end of the year celebrations, the Minister of Health François Braun called this Friday for a "burst of vaccination" among the French.

Only “2.8 million people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 since the beginning of October, it is much less than our European neighbors”, he explained.

The Minister of Health François Braun asked the French for a "jump in vaccination" on Friday, a few days before the end of the year celebrations, also urging them to "put the mask back on public transport".

While currently raging in France, as in neighboring countries, a triple epidemic with the juxtaposition of Covid-19, influenza and bronchiolitis, he spoke of a "serious situation" during a press conference.

Only “2.8 million people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 since the beginning of October, it is much less than our European neighbors”, underlined François Braun, referring specifically to the ongoing recall campaign.

On the flu side, "9.9 million vaccines were sold in pharmacies", a drop of 5% compared to 2021.

"I ask you to help" caregivers

Consequently, "the French are less well protected this year", "I solemnly call for a jump in vaccination", he said.

Noting that the caregivers had been applauded every day by the French during the first wave of Covid, Francois Braun launched: "Tonight, I ask you to help them, by vaccinating yourself and respecting barrier gestures".

The minister also insisted on the importance of the latter: washing hands, ventilating regularly, wearing a mask in closed places.

"In public transport, in trains," he pleaded.

But François Braun ruled out making the mask compulsory, as many caregivers claim: "There are simple gestures that do not need a text".

The most fragile first

In the morning, the minister had already hammered home, on BFM / RMC, that everyone could "get vaccinated" with an anti-Covid booster, while the communication on the booster vaccination for this fall was criticized for its confusion. .

Asked about the refusal of certain pharmacists to vaccinate those under 60, the minister considered that it was "not acceptable", while recalling that the "most fragile" remained the first targets.

"But everyone can get vaccinated," repeated Mr. Braun, thus judging "completely normal" to get vaccinated "if you go to see your elderly parents during the holidays".