France Requires Residents Aged 65 And Over To Show Proof Of Booster Dose Vaccine Starting Next Month

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron said late on Tuesday that residents aged 65 and over would need to show proof of having received a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from mid-December, in order to gain access to restaurants, trains, and airplanes with a health card.

In his televised address, President Macron stated that booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are currently only available for the population over 65 and vulnerable groups. From December, it will be available to residents aged 50-64.

"Since late summer, a campaign has been launched to protect people over the age of 65 and also the most vulnerable among us. Today we must accelerate it," President Macron said, citing Reuters on Nov. 10.

"If you have been vaccinated more than six months ago, I ask you to make an appointment for a booster shot. From December 15, you must show proof of booster dose vaccination to extend the validity of your health card."

A health card is required to enter restaurants and bars, to go to the gym or conference, including for long-distance train and plane travel.

On the occasion, President Macron also urged those who have not been vaccinated, to immediately receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

"For those who haven't been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Vaccinated to protect themselves. Vaccinated to live a normal life. We're not done with the pandemic yet," he explained.

President Macron said Europe was seeing a fifth wave of coronavirus infections, with France having seen a worrying increase in the number of COVID-19 hospital patients and in the spread of cases.

To note, France recorded 12,476 new confirmed infections on Tuesday, the highest level since September 8, Health Ministry data showed.

Much of Europe is struggling to beat the surge in the Delta variant amid easing restrictions and stalled vaccine rollouts in some countries, with the WHO warning half a million Europeans could die from COVID-19 by February 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic on the Blue Continent has changed dramatically in recent months. By the end of the summer, many countries had removed strict restrictions after countries especially in the western part of the bloc advanced with vaccination programs and cases plummeted.

Now that other parts of the world are reopening, Europe could again face the winter of new restrictions.