How is the French anti-Covid vaccination programme going? Better overall but there are still many failings and mysteries. By last Wednesday France had received, according to official figures, 570,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but had used 67,256 of them – 11.7%. 1/10
Olivier Véran, health minister, said 12 days ago, that France would offer AZ to all health/care workers/ambulance crews/ home helps by next Monday. Jean Castex, PM, said 1,000,000 AZ jabs would be given this month.
After just over 2 weeks, Fr. had reached… 67,000 AZ jabs. 2/10
After just over 2 weeks, Fr. had reached… 67,000 AZ jabs. 2/10
What’s going on? Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is considerable resistance to AZ in France, even among health workers, following reports of unpleasant after-effects and poor performance against some Covid variants. Officially, no info is forthcoming. 3/10
Better news. The rest of the vax programme, using Pfizer and Moderna, continues to accelerate. As of last night, 3,668,354 shots had been given – incl. just over 2,000,000 in the first 19 days of Feb. This is well ahead of the 1,600,000 given in 35 days up to end Jan. BUT… 4/10
France will miss its target of 4,000,000 jabs this month – largely because of the poor AZ rollout. A daily jab rate of over 200,000 is now required. On Thurs Fr hit a record 184,000 shots – but weekend performance is still lamentable. Last Sat AND Sun 63,384 jabs were given 5/10
Other good news - 2nd injections are forging ahead. As of last night, 1,132,918 had been given. Around 77% of care home residents have had 1 shot; maybe 40% have had both. This should start to reduce mortality rates. One in 3 C|19 deaths in Fr. have been in care homes. 6/10
France has now “fully vaccinated” 2x as many people as Britain but Britain has first-jabbed more than 6x as many people as France. (Fr 2.5m. UK over 16m).
Which approach is better? Two expert reports this week backed delaying 2nd doses to give rapid defence to more people. 7/10
Which approach is better? Two expert reports this week backed delaying 2nd doses to give rapid defence to more people. 7/10
Looking ahead….France has to speed up more if it is to vaccinate, even with one jab, all willing adults by 22 September. The number of Fr people now willing to be vaccinated, less than 50% last year, has reached 61%. But will they accept the AZ vaccine? 8/10
The govt announced this week that AZ doses will be available to all over-50’s in GP surgeries, pharmacies by middle of next month. On verra.
What of us forgotten 65-75 yr olds? Our turn should, in theory, start late March/early April if the plus-75’s can be done by then. 9/10
What of us forgotten 65-75 yr olds? Our turn should, in theory, start late March/early April if the plus-75’s can be done by then. 9/10
To fulfil its promise of a jab for all willing adults by 22 Sept, France must ( 61% out of 53m people = 32.3m) deliver 30,000,000 1st jabs in 215 days. This is circa 139,000 a day. To vaccinate fully would take circa 286,000 a day.
Doable? Only if France works weekends 10/10
Doable? Only if France works weekends 10/10
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