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Covid France: Moderna vaccine available at pharmacies from May 28
The vaccine is based on similar technology to Pfizer-BioNTech’s and will be available at around 18,000 pharmacies and some GP clinics
Doses of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine will be available in certain pharmacies and GP practices in France from May 28.
Up until now, only the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccine types have been available in these locations.
Everyone aged over 50 is currently eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination in France. All adults will be eligible from June 15.
France’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign expands: Latest update May 7
The Moderna vaccine will be offered in all pharmacies that choose to participate in the vaccination campaign. Around 18,500 pharmacies around the country are currently involved.
Participating pharmacies can order doses of the Moderna vaccine on May 17 and 18, with the doses being delivered the following week and available for patients from May 28.
Around 300,000 doses of the vaccine will be available in pharmacies each week from the end of May, pharmacy union USPO stated.
This means that the Moderna vaccine will, from May 24, only be used in vaccination centres to give patients a second dose of the vaccine.
The Moderna vaccine can be stored in normal fridge conditions (between 2C and 8C) for 30 days after it is defrosted. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can only be stored for five days after defrosting in these conditions.
The AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored and transported in normal fridges for around six months.
USPO has stated that it is in talks with the government to also use the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in pharmacies.
Booking an appointment at a pharmacy
There are different ways to book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment at a pharmacy.
The most direct way is to go to your local pharmacy and ask if there are appointments available. Similarly, you can phone to ask.
Some pharmacies are also directly contacting known patients to offer them appointments.
You can also book an appointment online. The booking tool Vite Ma Dose allows you to search for all available Covid-19 vaccination appointments in your area. It includes slots at pharmacies.
It will state what vaccine type is available: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson or Moderna (when it is in stock).
You can also book online through various booking sites such as Doctolib and Keldoc.
The Moderna vaccine is available to all adults over 50, plus people working in certain professions and people with serious health issues. The AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only being used for patients over 55 years old.
Read more:
France opens next-day Covid-19 vaccine slots to over-18s: how to book
France Covid-19 vaccine campaign calendar: May Update
