PandemicPreparedness

Updated: June 2025

• Mpox
• Bird Flu
• COVID-19
• MERS-CoV

MPOX

The country reported the first case of mpox in May 2022. Since then, there has been local transmission.

Testing is available with healthcare providers who can direct to diagnostic centres.

Vaccination is available for several groups and managed by vaccination centres is coordinated at the regional level by the Regional Health Agencies (ARS). Mpox vaccine finder can help locate vaccination sites. In September 2024, French health authorities recommended a booster dose for individuals who completed the primary vaccine schedule in 2022.

View official information and the FAQ for more details. The hotline is available every day from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.: 0 801 90 80 69.

Bird Flu

H5N1 was first detected in February 2006 with further cases detected in 2007. H5N1 has affected both wild birds and poultry.
H5N2 was confirmed in domestic birds in November 2015.
H5N3 was confirmed in wild birds in January 2021.
H5N8 was detected in wild birds in November 2016.
H5N9 was detected in domestic birds in December 2015.

Human cases of bird flu

No human cases of bird flu have been reported in France.

Variant influenza

The country’s first human infection with a swine flu variant was reported in September 2021. The person had contact with live pigs before falling ill and testing positive for the influenza A H1N2 variant (H1N2v).

COVID-19

The first COVID-19 cases were reported in January 2020. For the latest updates, see the French Public Health Agency COVID-19 website and the French Government COVID-19 website.

Vaccine eligibility: Vaccination is available to anyone aged 6 months and above.

Booster: Booster doses are recommended for those over 65 years, those who fall into an at-risk category and healthcare workers.

Certification: All vaccinations are recorded electronically on the National Health Insurance (Sécurité Sociale). Individuals also receive a paper card. Foreigners who were vaccinated outside France can obtain a vaccine pass if it is required. The COVID-19 app, TousAntiCovid, was suspended on the 30 June 2023.

Treatment: The French Health Authority provides information on medications for COVID-19 treatment.

MERS-CoV

In May 2013, an imported case of MERS-CoV was detected in an individual who had visited Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The person was first hospitalised in Valenciennes on April 23 and then transferred to another hospital in Douai on April 29. The patient, who had a weak immune system, initially tested negative with nose and throat specimens. However, specimens taken from the lungs (“bronchoalveolar lavage”) confirmed the infection on May 7. A secondary case, with no history of travel outside of the country, was identified through contact tracing. This individual shared a hospital room with the index case and tested positive on 11-12 May.