Covid in France: Race to vaccinate in Bordeaux as rare variant detected
Medical staff members wait for patients to be tested against the COVID-19 in the Bacalan neighbourhood of Bordeaux, south-western France, on May 23, 2021, after some 50 people have been tested positive for a "very rare" variant of coronavirus in the area.
The French city ofBordeauxwill fast-track vaccinations for residents in one neighbourhood after nearly50people tested positive for a "veryrare"variantof COVID-19, health authorities told AFP on Friday.
All adult residents of the city's northern Bacalan neighbourhood will be granted "unconditional" access to jabs, "this weekend or at worst early next week", said Patrick Dehail, medical advisor to the regional health authority.
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"We are working with the (health) ministry to obtain theextradoses required," Dehail said, adding that the boosted local effort will then be expanded to the widerBordeauxarea.
"We are talking about avariantthat has already been identified at the national level but which has beenveryrareuntil now," he added.
At least 46 people have been infected with thevariantin theBordeauxneighbourhood, with masstestinglaunched Friday to track down furthercases. None of those infected so far has been hospitalised.
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Labelled VOC 20I/484Q, the strain is related to the Britishvariantof COVID-19, but with an additional mutation.
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This mutation, (E484K), is also carried by the South African and Brazilian variants and is suspected of reducing the immunity acquired by either past infection or by some vaccines.
However, Dehail said there was as yet "no reason" to suggest that thevariantis resistant to mRNA vaccines such as those made by Pfizer or Moderna, or that it causes a more serious form of COVID-19.
Thevarianthas been detected in the northern Paris region as well asBordeauxin southwestFrance.
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InFranceas a whole, vaccinations have so far been limited to theover-50s, although people outside this age group can book unused slots advertised at short notice. All adults will be eligible for vaccinations inFrancefrom May 31.
