Against Covid-19, who is affected by the 2nd booster dose?

Covid-19 contamination figures continue to rise; faced with this ninth wave, the government and health experts have called on “the most fragile” to be vaccinated with a second booster dose.

“We are going to have a stronger message about vaccination: now there will be an increase in deaths” launched this Friday morning on BFM TV the Minister of Health, François Braun. The message on hardens. For a few weeks already the government has been increasing calls for vaccinations which are stalling, François Braun recalled the figures which he considers “insufficient”, only 20% of people over 80 have received this new dose, and 40% of 60-80 year. He also took the opportunity to remind that “everyone can be vaccinated”. The booster dose concerns both the third dose, the fourth dose and also the fifth dose called “autumn booster”.

The reminder of vaccination against Covid-19 is also supported by the president of Covars, the body succeeding the Scientific Council. Brigitte Autran hammered on France info that “the whole population can be vaccinated”. Provided, of course, that the vaccination schedule is respected. But then who should do their booster dose?

“Fragile” people in priority

“The target remains the most fragile, but we must be able to vaccinate everyone” explained the president of the USPO, Pierre-Olivier Variot in remarks reported by the Telegram. The people particularly targeted by the 4th dose are in particular:

• people over the age of 60;
• residents of nursing homes and long-term care units (USLD);
• people at risk of a severe form of the disease such as immunocompromised or pregnant people;
• people living in the environment with “fragile” people;
• professionals in the health and medico-social sectors.

However, concerning this booster dose, the High Authority for Health has noted that certain deadlines must be respected between two reminders, in particular three months for people aged 80 and over, for residents of nursing homes or USLDs and for immunocompromised people; and six months for all other persons.

For people already infected with Covid-19, “an additional booster dose remains recommended, respecting a minimum period of three months after infection” recalled the health authority.

“A recommendation is not a prohibition for others”

Asked about France info, the president of Covars declared that the vaccination reminder to limit serious forms of Covid-19 is open to “the whole population” provided that the deadlines between a previous vaccine or a previous infection are respected. Some pharmacists or doctors will ask for proof to verify that the vaccination is useful.

With the approach of the end-of-year celebrations, the government is also beating the recall, Elisabeth Borne indicated on RTL that “if you go to your pharmacist and say: ‘I’m going to see my grandmother during the holidays’, you have free access to the vaccine. Everyone has to go, you have to be careful for fragile people getting vaccinated if you have to go see your family during the holidays”.