Paris (AFP)

France is preparing to pass the milestone of 50 million first-time vaccinated against Covid-19, but gaps remain to be filled among "vulnerable" audiences, while the government emphasizes teenagers and the 3rd dose .

Holes in the racket

One dose is good, two is better.

If the number of first injections has become the key indicator of the vaccination campaign, that of "complete schedules" is at least as important.

There are thus more than 4 million people who still need to receive a second dose to benefit from maximum protection against severe forms of Covid.

Beyond this public committed to the cause, a little less than 10 million have not taken the plunge, including 720,000 in the over 75 years, yet eligible for vaccination since January 18.

About 15% of chronically ill patients (cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension) are in the same case, according to the latest Health Insurance count stopped on August 22.

In total, "2 million elderly and sick French" are "the top priority", said Olivier Véran last week.

The Minister of Health is relying in particular on a new "convocation system", via a letter offering them "a place and a date to come to be vaccinated", with a transport voucher, with no obligation to go there.

Confronted with the limits of the devices to "go to" (home vaccination, ephemeral barnums, calls by the Social Security), it also counts on the "mobilization" of liberal doctors and mayors to reach those who have fallen through the cracks of the net .

Large tanks

After a successful start to the summer, the vaccination campaign has fallen to a low of 3 million weekly injections.

The Ministry of Health has been hoping for several weeks "for a rebound as the start of the school year" and is especially eyeing young people.

Press conference by Olivier Véran on August 26, 2021 in Paris STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP / Archives

Because it is in this population that "the largest reservoirs of people to be vaccinated" remain: 2.5 million among 18-34 year olds and 2 million among 12-17 year olds.

Teenagers are particularly targeted, in or around middle and high schools.

The government plans to send "mobile teams" to some schools and transport groups of volunteer students to vaccination centers.

In parallel, a "recall campaign" has just started, which potentially concerns 18 million people over 65 or "at very high risk of severe form".

This third dose can be administered to them six months after the second.

Given the stocks and expected deliveries, more than 12 million recalls will be possible by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Health.

Enough to keep up the pace for several months.

© 2021 AFP