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VACCINE

Reader question: Do I need to show proof of my medical condition to get a Covid vaccine in France?

France has from May 1st opened up appointments for the Covid vaccine to people of any age, if they have one of the listed long-term medical conditions - but what proof do you need to provide of this?

Reader question: Do I need to show proof of my medical condition to get a Covid vaccine in France?
Younger people can now be vaccinated if they have a medical condition. Photo: AFP

Question: I’m 40 years old, but I have one of listed medical conditions that means I’m eligible for a Covid vaccine, do I need proof of my illness to make the appointment or at the vaccine centre?

On Friday, the French health minister Olivier Véran announced that, from May 1st, all adults who had ‘co-mobidities’ would be able to access a Covid vaccine in France.

Anyone over the age of 55 – without or without health issues – and healthcare workers were already eligible for the jab.

Now people of all ages suffering from a range of medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension or a BMI of 30 or above can book an appointment for a vaccine. Find the full list of qualifying conditions HERE.

READ ALSO How to book an appointment for the Covid vaccine in France

Later on Friday, the health ministry clarified that a prescription from your doctor certifying that you have one of these conditions was not necessary, saying: “In order to facilitate access to vaccination for those concerned, it is not necessary to present a medical prescription.”

But do you need to present any proof at all, such as previous prescriptions for medication or a doctor’s letter?

Over the weekend several people reported that booking platforms were still stating that a prescription was necessary, but this appears to be a question of sites not being updated, and by Monday afternoon most had the new requirements.

There were also reports of vaccine centres asking for proof, but again officials said this was down to a lack of detailed guidance being submitted to staff on the ground between the new rules being announced on Friday and coming into effect on Saturday.

“There is nothing to prevent a doctor from asking for proof in case of doubt, but this is not systematic. The directive is very clear”, the Health Ministry told Le Parisien on Monday.

Officials from the regional health authority for the Paris area added they had “made it clear on Friday to the vaccination centres that no certificate was required”.

The ministry said that a simple ‘declaration’ – usually ticking a box on the booking form confirming that you suffer from one of the listed conditions – will suffice.

So what’s to stop people lying about their medical conditions?

Their honour. You are required to make an attestation sur l’honneur (a sworn statement) that you qualify for a vaccine under the conditions laid out.

READ ALSO What does it mean when you declare on your honour in France?

The ministry also calls on “everyone to be responsible so as not to overload the appointment process”. 

Member comments

  1. Sadly still vaccines being refused – medical condition or not – if you don’t have the right SS number or carte vitale to fill in the box, despite what any ‘decree’ might say….’computer says no….’

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For members

HEALTH

Do I need a prescription to get antibiotics in France?

A new law means that a prescription is not always required if you need antibiotics in France.

Do I need a prescription to get antibiotics in France?

In most cases, people in France requiring antibiotics will need a prescription (ordonnance) from a doctor.

However, there are two exceptions, according to a new decree published in France’s Journal Officiel on Tuesday.

The updated law allows French pharmacists to dispense antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription for two common infections; cystitis (UTIs) and tonsillitis/strep throat (angines in French), which can both be confirmed by a test at the pharmacy.

If you suspect you have either of these infections, you can go to the pharmacy to get a test, known as a Test Rapide d’Orientation Diagnostique or TROD.

If the test is positive, the pharmacist will be able to prescribe antibiotics without you having to visit a doctor. You can visit the pharmacy on a walk-in basis, with no need for an appointment, and at least one qualified pharmacist should be on the premises at all times.

The move comes after a relaxation on the rules around vaccines allowing pharmacists to give eight common vaccines without a doctor’s prescription – in addition to the Covid and seasonal flu vaccines which can already be accessed at a pharmacy without prescription. 

Pharmacists in France receive a minimum of six years of training and can offer medical advice for a range of conditions, as well as dispensing medication. 

READ MORE: More than prescriptions: 11 things you can do at a French pharmacy

What about prescriptions?

For all other types of conditions requiring antibiotics, a prescription will still be required.

In France, only doctors (both general practitioners and specialists), dental surgeons (chirurgiens-dentistes) and midwives (sages-femmes) are authorised to prescribe medicines.

As such, you would need an appointment with one of these professionals to get a prescription.

What if I’m just visiting France?

French residents would normally go to their registered doctor if they fall ill, but people who are either just visiting France or who are not registered in the French health system can access doctors too.

If you do have the carte vitale – the card confirming that you are registered in the French health system – you can still book an appointment with a doctor, although you won’t be entitled to any state reimbursement. You would have to either pay the costs yourself (€26 for a standard GP appointment, plus the cost of the prescription) or claim on your health or travel insurance if you have it.

Booking a GP appointment can be as simple as phoning a local doctor or using an online service such as Doctolib. You may also call up SOS Médecins if you want a home visit, but this costs more than a usual visit.

READ MORE: How to make a doctor’s appointment in France

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