In an opinion issued this Friday, the High Authority for Health proposes to inject a booster dose for all people over 40 years of age.
- The HAS first justifies its decision by an increased circulation of the virus because the incidence rate exceeds the alert threshold set at 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
- The HAS recommends respecting a period of at least 6 months after the second injection.
- Regarding the possibility of extending the third dose to the entire population, the HAS ensures that it does not have, at this stage, sufficient elements to decide.
Towards the generalization of the third dose? In a press release published on Friday, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) is proposing to expand the populations eligible for a booster dose. While Emmanuel Macron has announced that he wants to launch a campaign aimed at the over 50s, the HAS proposes to go down to 40 years old.
The incidence rate exceeds the alert threshold
In its opinion, the HAS first justifies its decision by an increased circulation of the virus. “While the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is experiencing a new rebound in metropolitan France and a decline in vaccine effectiveness over time is to be expected, HAS today recommends expanding the scope of populations eligible for a booster dose of vaccination against Covid-19she wrote. She therefore recommends offering a reminder to people aged 40.” Currently, the incidence rate exceeds the alert threshold set at 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in almost all departments.
Subsequently, the HAS explains that the various scientific studies show that the booster dose is relevant and helps to strengthen the immune system against the virus. In particular, she hasconsidered Israeli real-life data demonstrating that the booster dose confers excellent levels of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection”, she notes. It is also based on research published on October 29 in The Lancet which bringsstrong arguments” in favor of a booster dose in people over 40 years of age.
Not enough elements to extend it to all adults
The HAS recommends respecting a period of at least 6 months after the second injection. She advocates for the use of mRNA vaccines”regardless of the vaccines previously administered while respecting the known and validated contraindications for these vaccines”, she specifies.
Regarding the possibility of extending the third dose to the entire population, the HAS ensures that it does not have, at this stage, sufficient elements to decide. “Indeed, the rarity of cases of severe form of the disease or of death in the youngest first-vaccinated (under 40 years) does not allow a formal conclusion to be drawn on the reduction of the individual risk in this population in whom the administration of ‘a full vaccination schedule was also the latest and for whom the decrease in immunity is still limited”, she adds.
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