Bouchra cannot calm his anxiety. This social worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, awaits her turn in the small room of the association of the inhabitants of the Air-Bel city in the 11e arrondissement of Marseille. And panic. In recent weeks, the place, more accustomed to struggles against poor housing, has been transformed into a vaccination center every Wednesday. Between noon and 2 p.m., mediators welcome without an appointment and try to convince those who, like Bouchra, have still not taken the first step. “I am up to date with all my vaccines, but with this one, I’m afraid”, recognizes this 35-year-old mother, who contracted severe Covid-19 in March 2021.
Nationally, 5% of total vaccinations over the past seven days were first injections, a rate that has rebounded slightly in recent weeks. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA), the number of first-time vaccines is higher than elsewhere in mainland France. According to the calculations of World, between December 18 and 28, 2021, 0.5% of the eligible population in the PACA region received a first injection, the highest rate in France, with Corsica (against 0.3% in Ile-de- France, or 0.1% in Pays de la Loire). “Regional vaccine coverage has long been lower than the national level; a more important catch-up is in progress ”, analyzes the regional health agency.
Bouchra swallows a paracetamol tablet, as a precaution. “A lot of people had problems after the injection, there were even deaths. They said it on the news “, she assures. The nurse whispers soothing words to her, but the mother of three can’t help but think of her 14-year-old son’s hug that very morning. “He said to me, ‘No, mom, don’t go!’ His father is against the vaccine and inevitably, too “, she justifies. Why is she making up her mind at the end of December? ” Because of work. My director never told me anything, but at the start of the school year, I suspect that he will ask me for a vaccination pass “, explains this agent in a social center.
A first financial click
In Marseille, only 60% of the inhabitants are vaccinated. And in the most popular districts – the 3e, and the 13e, 14e and 15e – the rate caps around 50%. A delay that officials from Marseille University Hospitals (AP-HM) point to as the main explanation for the saturation of intensive care services. 86% of patients with Covid-19 admitted to these services do not have a complete vaccination schedule.
You have 70.02% of this article to read. The rest is for subscribers only.