France ‘will not back down’ from sanctioning unvaccinated care-workers; Covid boosters to be offered to elderly from September

Speaking to French media outlet RTL on Thursday, Prime Minister Jean Castex clarified the dates for the next phase of the country’s vaccination campaign, which is poised to launch next month for “the most vulnerable members” of the public.

The drive will start with members of the population aged 65 and over from the beginning of September. Eligible senior citizens must have received their second dose over six months ago. Care-home residents will be next in line to receive a third shot from September 12-13.

Castex’s announcement comes after France’s medical watchdog ruled on Tuesday in favor of administering a booster shot to those at a greater risk of more severe symptoms of the coronavirus. The prime minister defended the move, stating that people are “eight times less likely to be contaminated, eleven times less [likely] to go to the hospital” if vaccinated against Covid-19.