France Accelerates Vaccination in Eastern Region Amid Concerns over Coronavirus Variants

Strategic Insights -

France has taken steps to accelerate vaccinations in the eastern region, which has seen a surge in suspected cases of the South African and Brazilian variants of the coronavirus. The move comes as the country's top vaccine adviser suggested that health workers in the region, who were initially set to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, should instead be administered either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine as a precautionary measure. The recommendation was made in light of preliminary South African research finding that the AstraZeneca vaccine provided "minimal protection" against mild to moderate cases caused by the B.1.351 variant.

Key Takeaways:

  • France has accelerated vaccinations in the eastern region, which has seen a surge in suspected cases of the South African and Brazilian variants.
  • The country's top vaccine adviser, Alain Fischer, recommended that health workers in the region receive either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine as a precautionary measure.
  • Preliminary South African research found that the AstraZeneca vaccine provided "minimal protection" against mild to moderate cases caused by the B.1.351 variant.
  • France is experiencing a shortage of vaccine doses, and the country has been among the slowest and most cautious in Europe to roll out its vaccination programs.
  • The French government has resisted calls for a local lockdown, but has opted to speed up vaccinations in the region as a measure to keep variants in check.

Statistics:

  • 4-5% of new coronavirus cases across France are estimated to be caused by the variants first detected in South Africa and in Brazil (Source: French health ministry)
  • 300 suspected new cases of the South African and Brazilian variants were detected within four days last week (Source: French health ministry)
  • 58-year-old man in a French hospital was reinfected with the South African variant, only one of the first reported cases of such a phenomenon (Source: French study)
  • 30,000 additional vaccine doses were sent to the eastern region of France from the government, all of them from Pfizer-BioNTech (Source: French public broadcaster)

Sources:

  • Journal du Dimanche newspaper
  • French health ministry
  • BFM TV
  • Washington Post (rick.noack@washpost.com)