"In view of the evolution of the epidemic situation, the vaccination rate and the average age of those infected, there is no need today to introduce compulsory vaccination for the over-50s,” said (LSAP), chairman of the Chamber of Deputies' health committee.

However, a draft bill providing for such an obligation to vaccinate is being prepared as planned. The government has put some forty questions to the state council, which answered them a week ago. This will allow the government to "finalise the draft, keep it in reserve and, if necessary, table it,” explains Di Bartolomeo.

But there are still concerns about the draft bill. On Monday morning, a public debate will take place in the Chamber following the success of petition 2193. More than 4,500 signatories supported a petition that wants to "bury" any plans for compulsory vaccination of people over 50. They remain convinced that messenger RNA vaccines are not "the right solution", still contest their effectiveness and are worried about side effects.

Little chance of success

However, the draft bill has little chance of being implemented. "The consensus in parliament is that, for the time being, it makes no sense to introduce compulsory vaccination for the over-50s," explains Di Bartolomeo.

But the work has not been in vain. "We have to be ready in case of a very strong wave, against all odds. And this project can be an element to react quickly if the sky falls," explains the LSAP deputy. Even if the text could then be adapted to the situation and change, for example, the target audience.

In the meantime, it will in any case be a matter of continuing the implementation of the vaccination campaign. "It is a duty of the citizenry that is still relevant today, because the virus is unfortunately still present", according to the LSAP MP.

This article was first published in French on . It was translated and edited for Delano.