"We are attentive. There is a more intense circulation of the virus in European countries, therefore also in France", under the effect of "a variant, BA.5, very transmissible but whose symptoms are less serious than those historical variants," Brigitte Bourguignon told the press.

After receiving a second booster dose in a pharmacy in the 7th arrondissement, the still minister, aged 64, called for "intensifying vaccination", "the most useful weapon", for people eligible for this second recall, mainly those over 60 and the immunocompromised.

A quarter of eligible people have received their second booster vaccine against Covid, a "clearly insufficient" rate, the government said on Tuesday, which calls on the oldest to receive the injection "as soon as possible", while a " moderate epidemic recovery" begins.

Brigitte Bourguignon also recalled an "other weapon" anti-Covid, "antiviral treatments", inviting those concerned to "contact their doctor, their pharmacist".

The Minister of Health Brigitte Bourguignon receives a second booster dose of the anti-Covid vaccine on June 23, 2022 in a pharmacy in Paris STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP

Asked about a possible return to health measures, such as the obligation to wear a mask in transport, the minister judged that at this stage, "the current measures are sufficient if everyone gets involved".

She urged "citizen responsibility (...) to avoid additional hospital tension".

“We test ourselves as soon as we have symptoms, we isolate ourselves if we are positive, and we possibly keep the mask in places where there is too much proximity”, also recommended this former deputy for Pas-de- Calais, beaten in the legislative elections.

Several voices, including that, in a personal capacity, of the government's "Mr. vaccine", Alain Fisher, have pleaded in recent days for a return of the mask in public transport.

On the government side, said Brigitte Bourguignon, "the idea is not to return to more restrictive measures for the moment".

"But we are monitoring the situation every day to take other measures if necessary."

If it is necessary "for example to consider a return of the mask in transport (...) we do not prohibit anything", had declared earlier in the day the spokesperson of the government Olivia Grégoire, assuring that the executive " would seize the health authorities (...) if this question were to arise in the coming weeks".

© 2022 AFP