Which high-risk people can now be vaccinated in France?

An additional 800,000 people suffering from serious health issues will be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine from Monday, alongside people aged over 75, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced yesterday evening (January 14).

The group will include, for example, people suffering from severe kidney issues, those who have undergone an organ transplant, people undergoing cancer treatment and those with Down's syndrome.

Mr Castex called the prioritisation of the most vulnerable a question of "ethics and efficiency".

The health ministry published a full list of people considered high risk (in French). This includes:

• People with cancer and malignant haematological diseases undergoing chemotherapy treatment

• People with severe chronic kidney disease (including dialysis patients)

• People who have had solid organ transplantation or hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation

• People who suffer from multiple chronic diseases with at least two organ deficiencies

• People with certain rare diseases and who are particularly at risk in the event of infection

• People with Down’s syndrome

During a series of announcements about the vaccine rollout last night, Health Minister Olivier Véran said that high-risk patients must have a consultation with their GP before being vaccinated.

From Monday, January 18, 6.4 million people in France will be eligible to receive Covid vaccinations.

France has vaccinated over 300,000 people against Covid-19. The vaccine campaign began on December 27, 2020, prioritising those living in care homes and the staff working there.

The government says it is on course to vaccinate over one million people by the end of January.

Read more:

Covid vaccines France: Key details, appointments, documents

‘Cancer patients should also be priority for Covid vaccine’

French doctor: I was happy to get Covid vaccine