These are reassuring figures. Mid-June 2021, 52.4% of French people had developed antibodies against Covid-19. That is more than one in two French people, indicates Public health France in its epidemiological point September 9, 2021.
The public health agency, the Pasteur Institute and ANSES (National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety) conducted a seroprevalence study, i.e. they assessed, at national level, the number of people who have developed antibodies following a Covid-19 infection or after being vaccinated.
Immunity: vaccination more effective than infection with Covid-19
According to this study, the vaccination is more effective than Covid-19 contamination in increasing the proportion of French people who have developed some form of immunity against the virus. The national seroprevalence observed last June is much higher to those observed during previous epidemic waves ”,
indicates the report. In mid-February, only 13.7% of the population had antibodies against SARS-Cov-2. However, France had already known in 2020 two major epidemic waves.
Few antibodies in the overseas territories
The proportion of people with immunity is also lower in areas where vaccination coverage is lowest, such as in the West Indies. In June, the seroprevalence was 30.7% in Guadeloupe and only 21.4% in Martinique. These low levels may have led the current epidemic resumption in Guadeloupe and Martinique ”,
indicates Public Health France.
Disparities between north and south in mainland France
This gain in immunity is observed in all regions of mainland France. But a disparity between north and south emerges: the highest seroprevalences are found in Île-de-France (60.1%), Brittany (56%) or in the Grand Est. The lowest are in Occitanie (46%), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (47.2%) or in New Aquitaine (48.1%).
Antibodies raised in people aged 60 and over
Looking at immunity by age group, it appears that people 60 years and over are those who have reached the highest levels. A logical result since those over 75 were vaccinated as a priority, followed closely by those over 55.
The youngest therefore have fewer antibodies, but this figure should be put into perspective since on September 7, 2021, 85.6% of 18-24 year olds had received at least one dose and 77.5% had a complete vaccination cycle. A data recalled by the Minister of Higher Education Frédérique Vidal Thursday, September 9, when she announced that the health pass would be required for student integration evenings and weekends on campuses in France.
Vaccination coverage for the entire French population as of September 7 is 73.2% for one dose and 68.3% for a complete vaccination.
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