This is a new step in the Covid-19 vaccine campaign. This Thursday December 24, 2020, the Haute Autorité de Santé has approved the issuance of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
This December 21 already, the European Medicines Agency approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Prime Minister Jean Castex did not miss the occasion to show enthusiasm: “Vaccination will start in the 27 EU countries on December 27, 28 and 29. To all skeptics, to all those who were doubtful, Europe has shown it is more than a big market: a community of fate. It is its uniqueness, and it is our strength against the crisis” he tweeted.
Thanks to this green light from the Haute Autorité de Santé, the first vaccines will be given from Sunday December 27 in France. Yet, the HAS does not recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to some people, starting with pregnant women.
“Inoculating the vaccine during the pregnancy is not recommended (excluding a high risk of severe disease identified during the pre-vaccine consultation), tolerance data are not enough to inform on the vaccination risks during pregnancy” the Haute Autorité de Santé says adding it is also “recommended not to get vaccinated when breastfeeding”.
Another category of people is targeted by these recommendations: people showing allergic history. “The use of the vaccine is not recommended to people showing severe allergy history such as anaphylactic, given the rare cases reported in Great Britain. Additional data are expected on the matter” the HAS says.
Last but not least, the Haute Autorité de Santé reminds it is not necessary “so far to systematically vaccinate” people who have already developed a symptomatic form of Covid-19. Yet, the latter “should be able to be vaccinated if they want to, after mutual decision with their doctor” the HAS says, before adding than anyway, they shall “comply with at least a 3-month period after the onset of symptoms before proceeding to vaccination and not be vaccinated in the event of persistent symptoms”.
Furthermore, the Haute Autorité de Santé reminds the vaccination campaign only targets people aged “16+”.
