Third Dose Of Covid Vaccine: Who Is Affected?

After Emmanuel Macron's address on November 9, 2021, a larger portion of the population is set to receive a booster dose of the Covid vaccine. We propose you to make the point on the persons concerned by this third dose.

A third dose to keep its health pass

In his address on November 9, 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the Third dose of Covid vaccine would become mandatory to maintain its health pass for a portion of the population.

Due to the evolution of the epidemic in France and throughout Europe, the government has indeed decided to take new measures, particularly with regard to vaccination.

To continue to benefit from a valid Health Pass, certain categories of French people will have to receive a booster dose with the Pfizer vaccine.

A measure to protect the most vulnerable

For some categories of French people, the Third dose of vaccine will therefore become indispensable to maintain its health pass.

Of course, this decision is not arbitrary but is motivated by the desire to protect the most fragile categories of populations.

Indeed, scientists have observed that the antibodies provided by the anti-Covid vaccine decrease sharply after a period of 6 months, hence the need to receive a booster dose.

Are you affected by the third mandatory dose?

The President of the Republic announced that people over 65 years of age must have received a third dose of Covid vaccine to qualify for the health pass from December 15, 2021.

From that date, the booster dose will also be required for those who have been vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine.

In summary, you are affected by this booster vaccination requirement if you are over 65 years of age or if you have been vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine.

Who can receive this third dose, but without obligation?

In his televised address, Emmanuel Macron invited all other frail people, i.e. suffering from comorbidities (such as diabetes, overweight or asthma), to receive this third booster dose.

Nevertheless, for these people, it is not a requirement and they can continue to receive their health pass even if they have not received this third injection.

In addition, since October 6, 2021, healthcare professionals who care for or accompany vulnerable people can also receive a 3rd booster dose, 6 months after the last vaccine injection.

When should you get vaccinated?

Following the announcement by the President of the Republic, the media clarified that it is necessary to wait 6 months after the previous injection in order to receive the third booster dose.

For those who received the Janssen vaccine, the booster dose with Pfizer's vaccine is recommended from 4 weeks after the first injection.

Also, if you are one of the over-65s affected by the mandatory booster vaccination, be aware that you have 5 weeks to receive this dose of vaccine before your health pass is invalidated.

In practice, it is possible to get vaccinated:
- at your GP's or any other doctor of your choice
- in a pharmacy
- in a nurse's or midwife's office
- in the hospital departments where you are being treated
- in a vaccination centre, with or without an appointment (depending on the case).

What other health measures have been announced?

Because of the epidemic wave that is affecting the whole of Europe, the President of the Republic also announced that the relaxations that had been envisaged for a time would not be possible in the end.

Thus, in the coming weeks, it will be necessary to continue to wear the mask (including for primary school students) and to respect the barrier gestures to block the progression of the epidemic.

Finally, Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a reminder campaign for people aged 50 to 64 from the beginning of December.

Note, however, that for these people, the third dose of vaccine will not be mandatory to retain the benefit of the health pass.