Almost 9% of people in the region have not received any dose of the vaccine

While the 3rd booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine has been relevant since Saturday for people aged 18 and over, a significant portion of the inhabitants of Hauts-de-France has still not received the first. With the imminent arrival of the Omicron variant in France and the end of the year celebrations looming, there is a risk of a rush in the vaccination centers. But is the region equipped to meet the demand?

The peak of the 5th wave of the coronavirus epidemic has not yet been reached as the incidence rate already exceeds that of the peak of the previous wave in the region. The health authorities keep insisting that “vaccination, associated with maintaining barrier gestures, remains the most effective measure to curb the epidemic”. However, according to the Regional Health Agency (ARS), 522,000 inhabitants of Hauts-de-France have still not received their first dose of vaccine, or nearly 9% of the regional population. And these are the most recalcitrant 12-17 year olds (17%), just ahead of 25-39 year olds (14%).

New centers, increased capacity and health professionals

Between the first vaccinations, the second doses and the booster, it is therefore a lot of people to sting while many ephemeral vaccination centers, such as the Zenith in Lille, have closed their doors. According to the ARS, 119 centers are still open in Hauts-de-France. It’s good, it’s even one of the best meshes in France. But it’s not enough. The health authority has therefore planned to open new centers, up to “about 140”. For those already in service, their capacity will be gradually increased, in particular by extending the range of opening hours. There are also plans to organize one-off operations, for example at Christmas markets, and to restart mobile vaccinodromes.

In addition to the centers solely dedicated to vaccination, the ARS recalls that city health professionals have contributed and continue to contribute to the population’s vaccination operations. In November alone, 45% of injections were carried out in this way. And it is not only a question of doctors since it is also possible to be vaccinated by a pharmacist, a nurse, a midwife, a biologist and even by his dentist.