In Paris, a short-term vaccination center adapted for people in childbirth

The le-de-France region, a point of passage and gathering of couriers from the Place de la République in Paris, has been welcoming since Monday and for a few days a vaccination center against COVID-19, which is mainly used for this purpose. Targets uncertain masses.

With a black and white hat, blue glasses and tattoos on the calves, Mauricio displays a relaxed athletic style. “Doesn’t it hurt, I imagine? I’m not going to cry?” This asks the 35-year-old Mexican, who has been vaccinated in France since 2013. Before putting things into perspective: “I’ve already been bitten by a scorpion…”

Delivery man for a subcontractor of La Poste, this trained architect was unexpectedly vaccinated, in a matter of minutes, in one of the 4 barnums installed for as little as 5 days – the test could be repeated – of the class. In one corner, famous for its monumental statue and its events. “I was working, I went for a coffee, I saw the center, people called me: + Come and get vaccinated +!”

– “I’ll think about it” –

The Place de la République in Paris will host a COVID-19 vaccination center for a few days, mainly targeting couriers in the le-de-France region, on June 29, 2021 (AFP - Martin Bureau)

The Place de la République in Paris will host a COVID-19 vaccination center for a few days, mainly targeting couriers in the le-de-France region, on June 29, 2021 (AFP – Martin Bureau)

Red Cross moderators walk the unsuspecting public, and especially bicycle delivery men, to this crossing point to persuade them to get vaccinated.

“Some people get convinced, others to get information, to take the temperature, see how it goes and will definitely come back later”, said 20-year-old student Lena Uvale, who serves as a moderator. Works in hope.

Like this delivery man who went after the discussion, and who is yet to be convinced. “There are controversies about the vaccine, I’m in the middle, I’m going to think again,” explains the man who speaks both French and Arabic. “No one can assure that there will be no side effects in the long run.”

A little less skeptical, others have taken advantage of it. Even though he is “slightly” afraid of the vaccine because it has been called “bad”, 24-year-old Afghan refugee Azimollah waits 15 minutes after being vaccinated. And Briefly explains in French that it was “complicated to make such an appointment” and a notification received through the Uber Eats application fixed it.

The le-de-France regional health agency (ARS), in consultation with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and the Fritchty platform, sought to design this so-called “go-to” operation to facilitate access to vaccinations.

“At first, the procedures would have been a bit more annoying, then I take advantage of it, I tell myself it should be done now”, raves delivery man Guillaume, 46, who still fears “potential side effects”. .

The Place de la République in Paris will host a COVID-19 vaccination center for a few days, mainly targeting couriers in the le-de-France region, on June 29, 2021 (AFP - Martin Bureau)

The Place de la République in Paris will host a COVID-19 vaccination center for a few days, mainly targeting couriers in the le-de-France region, on June 29, 2021 (AFP – Martin Bureau)

Of the hundred people who were vaccinated on Monday, a good story, to begin with. “Yesterday the first person vaccinated was crying because she didn’t have any Social Security coverage and told herself she didn’t deserve it,” said Aurelian Rousseau, director general of Ars Ile-de-France.

– made to measure –

A center only opens at noon on weekdays, as the delivery people “start their deliveries at 11–11:30 am and do not arrive earlier”, in place of a “natural gathering” for them, many volunteering. Equipped with the bike station, explains Marine Darnault in charge of transient operations in the Paris delegation of ARS.

The chosen week was also not by chance: in the heart of Euro football, which usually generates a lot of orders, and before the first waves of going on vacation, became synonymous with evaporation of customers.

If only thirty people marched in an hour, “to vaccinate those who would not have gone to the vaccination center, it is double, triple that”, admits Aurelian Rousseau, who hopes that “they can say that around them.” It’s simple, easy, (…) the side effects are extremely limited”.

While le-de-France passed the milestone of one million weekly injections last week, the “trivialization of the Vaccination Act” and “trying to do everything to break this range of social inequalities” threaten the delta version. The priority remains for Mr. Rousseau, who is facing him.

“The coming days will be decisive,” he says, with a desire to “achieve 20 vaccination points,” while 56% of people over 12 have received at least one first injection.

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