When can 50 to 64-year-olds book their booster Covid jab in France?

Reader question: I am 53 and I have read that I will be able to get a booster Covid dose in December. When can I book my appointment for this?

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday (November 9) that everyone aged 50 and over would be able to get a booster Covid vaccine dose from the “beginning of December”.

Currently, over 65s, those with underlying health issues that put them at risk of serious forms of Covid and healthcare workers are eligible for a booster dose six months after their last vaccine.

Those who received just one dose of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine are eligible for a booster dose four weeks after their first one.

More precise details of the campaign to give a booster dose to 50 to 64 year olds are likely to be announced in the coming weeks.

But, as with those already eligible, as soon as the booster campaign is opened up to this age group – meaning some time at the beginning of next month – they will immediately be able to book appointments.

Read more: 100,000 people in France book Covid booster after Macron speech

How can I book an appointment?

As with first and second vaccine dose appointments, there are several ways to get an appointment.

You can check for available appointments in your area via sante.fr, or you can directly book appointments online in your area via platforms such as Doctolib, Keldoc and Maiia.

Alternatively, you can use the online tool ViteMaDose to find your nearest available appointment.

There is also a helpline where phone call handlers can help you to book an appointment (there is no guarantee they will speak English): 0800 009 110. It is open seven days a week between 06:00 and 22:00.

You can also directly visit your local pharmacy, many of which are offering vaccine appointments, or call your GP, who will either be able to give you a vaccine or help you find an appointment if necessary.

Vaccine appointments are taking place at vaccination centres, doctors’ cabinets, nurses practices, pharmacies and in some workplaces.

Which vaccine will I get?

Regardless of what vaccine you were given for your first or second doses, you will either get Moderna or Pfizer for your booster dose.

However, the Moderna vaccine is not being given to under 30s, following the HAS’ report on November 8, because it carries a slight risk of heart inflammation in the form of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart). These cause damage to the heart and may lead to serious health problems.

You can read more about that here: Which vaccine will I get for my booster dose in France?

Booster jab to be mandatory for health pass for over 65s

From December 15, a booster Covid jab will be required for all over 65s who received their second vaccine dose over six months ago and who wish to use their vaccination certificate as part of the health pass scheme.

There are no further details at this moment if this rule will be extended to over 50s as well.

You can read more about who this ruling will affect in our article here: France mandatory Covid booster jab from December: Who does it concern?

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