France pushes vaccination campaign as COVID cases increase amid Omicron worries

PARIS: Authorities in France want to accelerate vaccinations against the coronavirus before Christmas as infections surge and more people with COVID-19 seek medical attention.

"People can celebrate Christmas normally, but we must respect the rules and get vaccinated," French Prime Minister Jean Castex told public radio outlet France Blue during an interview in the Alsace region late Friday.

France has registered a daily average of more than 44,000 new cases over the last week, a 36% increase from the previous week, according to the latest government figures.

Weekly hospitalisations of people with COVID-19 went up 1,120, a 41% rise.

The government on Monday closed nightclubs until Jan.6 and tightened social distancing measures in closed spaces and outdoors.

Castex said the government is not considering another lockdown that would limit or prohibit public events and social gatherings.

With over 48 million of France's 67 million people fully vaccinated and tens of thousands signing up for either their first shots or booster doses, the country could make it through the holiday season without additional restrictions on public life, the prime minister said.

Health workers in France administer 700.000 vaccine doses a day, Castex said, adding that 90% of French residents have had at least one vaccine dose.

"It's an excellent figure," he said.

The government is discussing whether to have France join other countries that have authorised vaccines for all children ages 5-11.

Children under age 12 who are considered at risk of complications from COVID-19 will be eligible starting Dec.15.

Castex, 56, tested positive for the coronavirus on Nov.22.

His office said at the time that he had contracted the virus from his 11-year-old daughter.

He was fully vaccinated, but his daughter was too young to get jabbed.

Pointing to himself as an example, the prime minister said: "So yes, vaccinating children is necessary."