Covid-19 cases expected to spike in France this summer
The spring booster vaccination campaign is still underway after being extended due to low uptake
Elderly and vulnerable people are encouraged to get a booster Covid vaccine in time for summer
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France is at risk of a Covid-19 resurgence this summer and vaccination efforts should be increased, say France’s National Academy of Medicine (ACM), health advisors to the government.*
In a press release published on June 25 ACM states that Covid-19 may not be comparable to influenza epidemics (which have a winter seasonality).
ACM says it is concerned about “a resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic during the summer months” in France, after 2024 recorded two “peaks” of Covid cases: the first in late June/early July and the second in late September.
The arrival of warm weather sees increased large gatherings and travel, offering opportunities for viruses to spread more easily.
The ACM draws attention to the emergence of a new variant, NB.1.8.1, which was first detected in France in March. It is a sublineage of JN.1 - the dominant Covid strain worldwide since late 2023.
On May 23 this year, it was classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant that is “under surveillance.”
There is no indication that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe symptoms than other recent variants, however it is potentially more transmissible, and has given rise to a “major epidemic rebound in Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore)”, reports the ACM.
Vaccination reminder
The ACM reiterates the importance of protective measures such as wearing a mask, regularly washing your hands, and getting vaccinated, to help limit the spread of the virus.
The WHO points out that the vaccines currently in use remain effective against the new Covid strain.
The ACM highlighted that only 21.7% of over 65s were vaccinated during the autumn booster campaign (October 2024 - February 2025) in France.
This year’s spring campaign was initially scheduled to run until mid-June, however it has been extended until the end of this month and could last until July 15, according to the ACM, who suggest the campaign is also lacking in uptake from the target groups.
Several key groups are targeted:
Those aged 80 and over
Immunocompromised people of all ages
People living in Ehpads (elderly care homes) or USLD (long-term care units) of all ages
Any person at very high risk according to the opinion of healthcare professionals
The ACM also recommends vaccination for all eligible people who were not vaccinated last autumn:
Those aged 65 and over
Pregnant women
Severely obese people
Those with a chronic disease diagnosed more than six months ago (cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal and hepatic diseases, diabetes, cancer, etc)
Those who work with vulnerable people in the categories above, such as nurses, care home workers, etc.
However, anyone who wishes to get a booster for Covid can also make an appointment if they wish - and it is free to receive.
Read also: Warning over rise of bogus health ‘cures’ in France
People should not have a booster vaccine if they have received a Covid jab in the previous six months – however this is reduced to three months for those over 80 as well as any immunocompromised person.
*The Académie nationale de médecine has no official status but shares a medical consensus on public health issues. Its missions are to advise the government on health issues, to contribute to the progress of medical sciences, to promote French medicine, and to establish partnerships with foreign institutions in the field.
