why should we ensure the vaccination of people over 60?

The covid-19 epidemic has been on the rise for several weeks, but vaccination has been forgotten. Only a quarter of people eligible for the second booster are vaccinated. To date, less than 2.2 million second vaccine boosters have been injected, out of more than 8.7 million eligible people – mainly those over 60, as well as the immunocompromised. The government therefore called yesterday on the oldest to receive their injection as soon as possible.

42% of people hospitalized are over 60 years old

If the government calls for the vaccination of older people, it is for physiological reasons. A person over 60, even in good health, does not have the same immunity as a 30 year old. “After the age of 65, there is this famous phenomenon of immunosenescence, that is to say that we produce fewer antibodies. Following vaccination, but also infection, we know that the immunity is unfortunately not long-lasting. Obviously immunosenescence does not depend on comorbidities, this decline in immunity is due to aging in the proper sense of the term, of the immune system”, explains Benjamin Davido, infectious disease specialist at the microphone of Europe 1.

The infectiologist also recalls that in the oldest, protection decreases three months after the last dose or after an infection. This is the reason why the authorities recommend for the over 80s a second booster only three months after the injection. For 60-79 year olds, this period increases to six months before a new dose. Today, out of 850 people hospitalized in critical care, 42% are over 60 years old.