Vaccinations and COVID

• Updated : 27/03/2022

• Vaccinations
• COVID-19

France has a strong pro-vaccine culture, as the country of origin of Institut Pasteur.

While vaccination is not always mandatory, it is free and highly recommended. In some cases, it is mandatory :

• Vaccination, against certains diseases, including COVID, is mandatory in some professional fields, including hospitals, medical and social care, etc

• Since 2018, vaccination is mandatory for infants under the age of 2 following a national schedule. It entails vaccination against 11 diseases.
• Before 2018, the only mandatory vaccines were diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP).
• Children have to be vaccinated (except medically justified contraindication) to be admitted in crèche, school, leisure, summer camps, etc.

• COVID vaccination is open adults and children age 12 and older. 5-11 year old children can be vaccinated with rare exceptions.
• Over 80% of the French population is vaccinated against COVID.
• Vaccines are Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna. We do not use the Russian Sputnik Vaccine.
• With COVID vaccination, you will receive a European vaccination certificate.
• 12-15 year old children need parents approval. 16-18 year old children don't.
• COVID vaccination is mandatory in healthcare and social care sectors.
• Do not buy false vaccination certificates. If found, the pass will be deactivated and you may be fined. Lying also puts your life at risk of not receiving proper treatment in hospitals in a timely manner : Example

• You can buy tests at “Pharmacie”. They no longer are free.

• You can buy covid mask in supermarkets. It is cheaper than at “Pharmacie”.
• Non-profit organizations and cities often offer masks for free to refugees.

• Rules are changing often. Rules are decided by the central government, the Prefet (the head of Prefecture) and the mayor of each city.
• New rules are usually advertised on TV, radios and in newspapers.
• Local rules are published on the website of each prefecture and in its Twitter feed.
• Currently it is not required to have a mask outside. Inside, the mask is preferred. It is required in planes or trains.
• Most essential services (supermarkets) are open without proof of vaccination or proof of tests.
• Advice: Do what you see French people do.

• No verification of COVID passport.

• Verification of European COVID vaccination passport or antigene tests.
• More information on rules in aiports on the Paris Aiport website

• https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

• https://covidtracker.fr/