Macron on TF1: vaccination of children "desirable" but not compulsory

French President Emmanuel Macron during his pre-recorded and broadcast interview on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The French president ruled this Wednesday, December 15 that the vaccination of children against Covid-19 was " 

desirable

 ", but without obligation.

However, he considered " 

possible

 " in the long term a vaccination obligation for all, in this interview pre-recorded and broadcast by TF1 and LCI, although the health pass is already " 

almost a vaccination obligation

 " in his eyes.

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Between 5 and 11 years,

the health authorities explained that it would protect

, he said on TF1,

and therefore I think it is desirable

 ", but " 

after, it is the choice of parents

 ".

The

children

rarely have severe forms even if the last few weeks, we had dozens of cases of children, some young people who are in hospital with severe forms

 ," he said.

Also today we have not put any obligation

 " for the children.

Asked about the hypothesis of a vaccine obligation in the long term, including for adults, as for tetanus, he judged it " 

quite possible

 ", even if he did not mention a decision in this direction. for the moment.

In a pre-recorded interview broadcast on Wednesday by the TF1 and LCI television channels, devoted in part

to the defense of the results of his five-year term

, the Head of State recalls that more than nine out of ten French people eligible for vaccination already have a complete vaccination schedule. .

The health pass, " 

almost a vaccination obligation

 "

Because, he argued, the health pass has already instituted " 

almost a vaccination obligation

 ".

We are almost there

 ", he repeated, " 

when more than 90% of those who were to be vaccinated were vaccinated

 ".

But on this subject " 

we will look with pragmatism in the coming weeks

 ", he declared, without further details.

And " 

it is likely that we will go towards regular reminders

 ," continued the Head of State, citing the annual influenza vaccine as an example - which is not compulsory. The flu “ 

every year comes back with a slightly different form, you have to be revaccinated to have good protection

 ”. " 

It is likely that we are going towards that for this virus,

 " he insisted.

Many of our compatriots are tired of this situation

 " he admitted, " 

I am like you

 ".

But he defended having set up a "

permanent control society

" for reasons of the epidemic 

 , and preferred to speak of a " 

vigilance society

 " or " 

responsibility

 ".

The pass will remain provisional, he also assured: " 

it is obvious since I do not think that we go for all eternity with this virus

 ".

He finally called again the " 

more than 5 million of our fellow citizens who are not vaccinated to the responsibility because they are not protected

 ", he said.

(With AFP)

 To read also: 

Emmanuel Macron on TF1: too much media space for a president in the campaign?

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