Useful information: vaccination at the Institut Pasteur with the AstraZeneca vaccine, new measures for eating on campus

Vaccination at the Institut Pasteur with the AstraZeneca vaccine

In accordance with the new national recommendations by the French National Authority for Health (HAS) that the AstraZeneca vaccine should only be used for those aged 55 and over, the Institut Pasteur's Occupational Health Department resumed vaccination on March 22. The priority groups for these vaccination sessions are therefore as follows:

Healthcare workers aged over 55
Staff aged over 55 with underlying health conditions: complicated high blood pressure, a history of stroke or coronary artery disease, complicated diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.
Laboratory staff handling SARS-CoV-2 and aged over 55

Further information:

Opinion issued on March 19, 2021 by the French National Authority for Health on the role of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the vaccine strategy following the opinion from the European Medicines Agency on the adverse events that have occurred in several European countries in those having received the vaccine.

In light of the data provided by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the French National Authority for Health (HAS) concluded that vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine could be resumed. The EMA nevertheless identified a possible additional risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in individuals aged under 55.

The HAS reiterates that real-world efficacy data for the AstraZeneca vaccine observed in a large cohort demonstrate a 94% reduction in hospitalization associated with COVID-19 (the vaccine was mainly administered to those aged over 65).

Pending further data, the HAS recommends using the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) in people aged under 55 who are eligible for vaccination because of underlying health conditions as laid down in the national recommendations.

For those aged under 55 who have already received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the HAS will shortly give its recommendation on how the second dose should be administered. The HAS reiterates that there should be a gap of 12 weeks between the two doses.

New measures for eating on campus

In view of the stricter health measures adopted to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, the French national guidelines for companies were updated on March 23, 2021.

The current applicable measures in the company restaurant are as follows:

- The company restaurant is open from 11.30am to 2.15pm; we would encourage you to make full use of these opening times to avoid the rush observed between 12 noon and 12.45pm.

- Tables and chairs have been arranged so as to enable a distance of 8m2 around each person. Please make sure you observe the signage on the tables and do not move the furniture.

Under the new guidelines, a space of 8m2 must be maintained when eating with other people. This corresponds to the 2 meter distance applicable when not wearing a mask.

The company Eurest is introducing a number of additional measures: bread will be distributed at the checkout, fruit will be packaged individually, and sauces from the dispensers will be served at the salad bar by a staff member.

We would remind you that the company restaurant offers takeaway meals, and we would encourage you to use this solution if you are able to eat your meal in an individual office or in an area that has been specially arranged to comply with the health regulations.

We would also suggest that you take your lunch break at a different time from your colleagues if you share an office. Please make sure that you maintain a distance of 2 meters from anyone else not wearing a mask, even if you are outside.

Eating areas with individual standing tables are available in The 25 and in the atrium of the François Jacob building.