Quarter of vaccine centres in Paris region to close over summer holidays
A quarter of Covid-19 vaccination sites in the Paris region will close during July and August, the regional health authority told AFP on Tuesday, anticipating a fall in demand as Parisians head off on holiday.
All the sites in Seine-Saint-Denis are set to remain open, including the large vaccinodrome at the Stade de France, according to France Info but other sites in the Île-de-France region will close
Stade de France Covid vaccine festival was quiet today compared to first dose on May 10th so no queues at least. "Dr Jab" told me 4,000 injectees today compared to 6,000 a day in early May. They appear to have brought in a didgeridoo player to try to bring the crowds in. pic.twitter.com/o7i1E6z2jR
— Ben McPartland (@McPBen) June 21, 2021
All of France’s regional health authorities have been told to prepare a “continuity plan”, in consultation with local mayors and prefects, to ensure vaccinations continue throughout the summer period, France Info reported.
Vaccination rates could fall as both patients and health workers go on holiday, and local officials may want to use venues for other purposes.
France's next vaccine target was to give 40 million people at least one dose by July 15th, with all adults having been offered a vaccine by the end of the summer.
However there are fears that the traditional French long summer holiday - which sees many cities virtually empty in August - will hamper this target.
In a bid to counter this, the government has increased flexibility around the second vaccine dose, which can now be booked between three and seven weeks after the first, with the health minister appealing to people to fit in their jabs around their holidays.
Vous hésitez à vous faire vacciner en juin parce que vous serez en vacances en juillet ? N'hésitez plus. Nous modifions les systèmes de rendez-vous pour vous permettre de programmer votre rappel entre 21 et 49 jours après la 1ere injection.
— Olivier Véran (@olivierveran) June 15, 2021
In Île-de-France, vaccination rates are set to continue at 82 percent capacity, with 77 percent of centres remaining open, according to the Agence Régionale de Santé.
Vaccinations capacity will be maintained in certain départments at a higher rate than others, as per France Info - while all centres in Seine-Saint-Denis will continue to administer jabs, 85 percent of sites in Val-de-Marne and Val-d’Oise will remain open, 73 percent in Essonne, 70 percent in Paris, 62 percent in Hauts-de-Seine, and only 42 percent in Yvelines.
Health authorities added that they will continue with campaigns to reach out to certain groups including students and pregnant women and vulnerable populations such as the homeless and migrant workers. Staff will also be operating increased testing centres, including a highway service stations, campsites and leisure centres.
Cette semaine, 300 000 créneaux de vaccination sont encore disponibles dans vos centres.
Une 1ere injection aujourd'hui, un rappel possible avant le 15 juillet. Et des vacances plus tranquilles. Rendez-vous sur https://t.co/pHsC89Y4aK
— Olivier Véran (@olivierveran) June 21, 2021
On Monday, health minister Olivier Véran again encouraged people to get their jabs before the summer break - 300,000 slots were still available across the country for the coming week, he said on Twitter.
Vaccination et vacances d'été : "Nous devons anticiper sur les lieux de destination de nos concitoyens la possibilité de renforcer la vaccination", affirme @JeanCASTEX. Une "planification de la livraison des doses" sera organisée avec les #ARS. #DirectAN #QAG pic.twitter.com/OdKZESspky
— LCP (@LCP) May 18, 2021
While the government has advised people to book their second jab in the same vaccination centre as their first dose if possible, vaccine deliveries could be stepped up in holiday destinations this summer.
“We must anticipate, in our fellow citizens’ holiday destinations, the possibility of reinforcing opportunities to vaccinate them, notably but not only in terms of second doses,” Prime Minister Jean Castex told parliament in May.
All adults, as well as children from the age of 12, are currently eligible to receive a Covid vaccine in France.
READ ALSO How to book a Covid vaccine in France
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All the sites in Seine-Saint-Denis are set to remain open, including the large vaccinodrome at the Stade de France, according to France Info but other sites in the Île-de-France region will close
Stade de France Covid vaccine festival was quiet today compared to first dose on May 10th so no queues at least. "Dr Jab" told me 4,000 injectees today compared to 6,000 a day in early May. They appear to have brought in a didgeridoo player to try to bring the crowds in. pic.twitter.com/o7i1E6z2jR
— Ben McPartland (@McPBen) June 21, 2021
All of France’s regional health authorities have been told to prepare a “continuity plan”, in consultation with local mayors and prefects, to ensure vaccinations continue throughout the summer period, France Info reported.
Vaccination rates could fall as both patients and health workers go on holiday, and local officials may want to use venues for other purposes.
France's next vaccine target was to give 40 million people at least one dose by July 15th, with all adults having been offered a vaccine by the end of the summer.
However there are fears that the traditional French long summer holiday - which sees many cities virtually empty in August - will hamper this target.
In a bid to counter this, the government has increased flexibility around the second vaccine dose, which can now be booked between three and seven weeks after the first, with the health minister appealing to people to fit in their jabs around their holidays.
Vous hésitez à vous faire vacciner en juin parce que vous serez en vacances en juillet ? N'hésitez plus. Nous modifions les systèmes de rendez-vous pour vous permettre de programmer votre rappel entre 21 et 49 jours après la 1ere injection.
— Olivier Véran (@olivierveran) June 15, 2021
In Île-de-France, vaccination rates are set to continue at 82 percent capacity, with 77 percent of centres remaining open, according to the Agence Régionale de Santé.
Vaccinations capacity will be maintained in certain départments at a higher rate than others, as per France Info - while all centres in Seine-Saint-Denis will continue to administer jabs, 85 percent of sites in Val-de-Marne and Val-d’Oise will remain open, 73 percent in Essonne, 70 percent in Paris, 62 percent in Hauts-de-Seine, and only 42 percent in Yvelines.
Health authorities added that they will continue with campaigns to reach out to certain groups including students and pregnant women and vulnerable populations such as the homeless and migrant workers. Staff will also be operating increased testing centres, including a highway service stations, campsites and leisure centres.
Cette semaine, 300 000 créneaux de vaccination sont encore disponibles dans vos centres.
— Olivier Véran (@olivierveran) June 21, 2021
Une 1ere injection aujourd'hui, un rappel possible avant le 15 juillet. Et des vacances plus tranquilles. Rendez-vous sur https://t.co/pHsC89Y4aK
On Monday, health minister Olivier Véran again encouraged people to get their jabs before the summer break - 300,000 slots were still available across the country for the coming week, he said on Twitter.
Vaccination et vacances d'été : "Nous devons anticiper sur les lieux de destination de nos concitoyens la possibilité de renforcer la vaccination", affirme @JeanCASTEX. Une "planification de la livraison des doses" sera organisée avec les #ARS. #DirectAN #QAG pic.twitter.com/OdKZESspky
— LCP (@LCP) May 18, 2021
While the government has advised people to book their second jab in the same vaccination centre as their first dose if possible, vaccine deliveries could be stepped up in holiday destinations this summer.
“We must anticipate, in our fellow citizens’ holiday destinations, the possibility of reinforcing opportunities to vaccinate them, notably but not only in terms of second doses,” Prime Minister Jean Castex told parliament in May.
All adults, as well as children from the age of 12, are currently eligible to receive a Covid vaccine in France.
READ ALSO How to book a Covid vaccine in France
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