French president Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation Tuesday amid a fresh rise in the rate of Covid-19 infections and announced a booster shot campaign for 50 to 64-year-olds due to start in December, reports FRANCE 24.
Citing the World Health Organization, Macron said the fifth wave of Covid-19 has begun in Europe. The French president said the rising Covid-19 incidence rate, up 40 percent in France over the past week, as well as rising hospitalisations were "alert signals".
Macron appealed to those in France who have yet to receive a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to get vaccinated. “Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated to protect yourselves. Get vaccinated to live normally,” he said.
The president announced that from December 15, over-65s will need to show proof of having received a vaccine booster shot to continue benefitting from France's health pass, which provides access to restaurants, cultural events and intercity rail travel.
Macron also announced a booster shot campaign would begin for 50 to 64-year-olds from early December.