Did you think you were done with Covid-19 vaccine boosters? A new campaign starts on April 20.
The Covid-19 virus is still circulating. If you are over 80 years old, are immunocompromised or live in a nursing home, the new vaccination booster could directly concern you. The objective is clear: to strengthen the immunity of people most exposed to serious forms, while the effectiveness of the vaccine – like that linked to a past infection – tends to gradually diminish over the months.
This new campaign, recommended by the High Authority for Health, will take place from April 20 to June 30, 2026, with a possible extension depending on the epidemic situation. It follows on from the autumn campaign against influenza and Covid-19, completed at the end of February. The idea is therefore not to relaunch a general vaccination, but to offer an additional reminder to the public for whom the drop in immunity can have the most serious consequences in the event of contamination.
In detail, it is mainly people aged 80 and over, immunocompromised people regardless of their age, as well as residents of nursing homes or long-term care units who are invited to be vaccinated. Other patients considered to be at very high risk may also be affected, depending on their state of health and after medical evaluation. In a press release, the General Directorate of Health (DGS), which depends on the Ministry of Health, indicates that this campaign targets people most exposed to serious forms – in particular those over 80, immunocompromised people and residents of nursing homes or long-term care units – in a context of progressive decline in immunity.
Before receiving this new dose, a minimum period of six months after the last injection or infection is recommended. However, it can be shortened to three months for the most fragile people, when the risk of serious illness is considered particularly high. Here again, the decision can be discussed with a health professional, in order to best adapt vaccination to each situation. The calendar was not chosen at random. The authorities explain that it must make it possible to maintain the protection of the most vulnerable people during the summer period, while giving them the possibility of benefiting again, if necessary, from the autumn campaign in good conditions. In other words, this spring recall is part of a logic of continued protection for the most exposed people.
Concretely, vaccination can be carried out as in previous campaigns: at a doctor, in a pharmacy, by a nurse, by a midwife when she is authorized, or directly within establishments for the elderly. It will be done with the Pfizer Corminaty® vaccine (the only vaccine now administered against Covid-19). If you are not one of these profiles, no recall is recommended at this time. Health authorities favor a targeted strategy, more adjusted to the real level of risk. A way of taking into account the evolution of Covid-19, which continues to circulate, while concentrating efforts where they are most useful.
