France Covid: How long after my fourth vaccine dose can I have fifth?
We look at the recommended gap between doses as a new booster campaign begins in France
A new Covid vaccine booster dose campaign has begun in France this week
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Reader Question: Flu vaccine letters have been sent to us and an invitation to get a Covid vaccine at the same time. However, we had our fourth vaccine last May and I am not sure if a fifth will be available to us (over-70s) in November, which will be six months after the fourth vaccine.
A new Covid booster vaccine campaign was launched in France on October 3, as the eighth wave of the virus continues.
Read more: New Covid vaccine campaign to begin for at-risk groups in France
Read more: RECAP: France’s booster campaign with ‘new’ Covid vaccines launches
Adapted Pfizer and Moderna vaccines designed specifically to tackle Omicron subvariants are being offered, where available, to several at-risk groups who are being prioritised in the new campaign.
Read more: France approves three vaccines adapted to Covid Omicron subvariants
These groups are:
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Over-60s
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Care home residents
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Immunosuppressed patients
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Pregnant women, from the first trimester
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Adults with health conditions making them particularly vulnerable to serious forms of Covid
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People who have very regular contact or live with those who are most vulnerable
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Healthcare workers
It is possible to have another booster, even if you have already had one or two before, however, over-80s and care home residents can only receive this booster if they have not had a vaccine dose or Covid itself within the last three months.
Everyone else must also wait three months after having Covid or six months after their previous vaccine dose.
Therefore, you are correct in thinking that you will become eligible for the fifth vaccine dose in November, six months after your fourth in May.
This vaccination campaign is being carried out in tandem with the flu vaccination campaign, which is set to begin on October 18.
Eligible people are encouraged to receive both jabs at the same time: one in each arm.
Most pharmacies around France now offer Covid jabs and it should be possible for you to book a vaccination appointment through websites such as Doctolib and ViteMaDose.
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