The wave of Covid-19 in France is slowing down. “We are in the process of passing the peak”, confirmed this Tuesday the immunologist Brigitte Autran, president of the Committee for monitoring and anticipating health risks (Covars) at the microphone of RMC. “We have passed the peak of incidences and we have passed the peak of hospitalizations. Nevertheless, there are still more than 100 deaths per day from Covid, ”laments the specialist.
“The disease is there, it is still serious, particularly in people who have not been vaccinated (or) who have not had their booster. We really need to encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” insisted Dr. Autran, adding that “if Covid is less serious today, it is thanks to vaccination. »
Recalling that vaccination makes it possible to reduce the severity of the disease, Brigitte Autran indicated that “we have now reached 4.5 million vaccinations since October 3”, the start date of the last recall campaign.
A “very insufficient” vaccination campaign
“With this new vaccination campaign, it is estimated that around 40% of people over 70 have had a booster, it is very insufficient, we would like it to be almost 100%. I remind you that it is recommended from the age of 60 and open to everyone, ”she insisted. “We have made progress, but what is really problematic is in nursing homes where the vaccination rate is insufficient,” she added.
By the way, she also urged the French to get vaccinated against the flu, which is “in the process of rising very significantly”. Currently, “only 22% of staff” are vaccinated, “it’s really a shame”, she regretted. The president of Covars again deemed the wearing of a mask “very insufficient” in public transport. “The French must understand that we are not in coercion today. We are really in the encouragement to protect ourselves. Because there are still 135 to 150 Covid deaths per day, which is a lot, ”she lamented.
Asked about the hypothesis of an end to the pandemic in 2023, the immunologist was very reserved. “We all hope so, but we know that the Covid will stay anyway, it will come back periodically. We all hope that it will be less and less severe thanks to vaccination. But for the moment we do not yet have a very reliable prognosis, ”she said.