**Please note that this post is designed for students beginning their studies with us in September 2021**

As an incoming students to our Paris School, you have a lot to do to prepare for your move to Paris. Vaccination procedures have been rolled out differently around the world and you may not have been able to be fully vaccinated before your departure. There is even talk in some countries, including France, of administering third doses of certain vaccines. As of this week, the French Haute Autorité de la Santé now recommends a third dose of the EU-approved vaccines for individuals over 65 years of age and those with underlying health conditions (see the official texts here). The good news for all of our incoming students is that you do not have to be registered within the French national health system/insurance scheme (Assurance maladie) to get a vaccine in France. You do, however, have to be resident and demonstrate proof of residency.

A French social security number is not required to get vaccinated and for free. Foreign students can be vaccinated in France, but will need to prove your residency, in the form of a rental contract, signed letter of being hosted by an individual (attestation d’hébergement) or accommodation booking of three months or more.

Here are the steps to follow to sign up for a vaccination appointment:

• Make an appointment on this designated Vaccination website or Doctolib (In French)
  • On Doctolib a pop-up window will ask you which situation you are in:
    • Vous souhaitez réserver une deuxième injection (second dose)
    • personnes de plus de 18 ans (persons over 18 years old, for ARNm type vaccines)
    • personnes de plus de 18 ans déjà eu la Covid-19 (persons over 18 years old having had Covid-19, for ARNm type vaccines)
• Clink the appropriate category and proceed with making an appointment at a vaccination centre, doctor’s office or pharmacy
• You can also try asking directly at a pharmacy to see if they have vaccines available
• Bring your ID and proof of residency with you to the appointment.

If you encounter difficulties at your vaccination venue and the health professional insists you need to have a carte vitale, it is possible that they are not aware of the rules. You can remind them politely that a carte vitale/social security number is not required. If you have internet on your phone, you can also show them this page on the French government website which clearly states that “un étranger ou un sans-abri peut se faire vacciner en centre de vaccination même s’il ne dispose pas d’une carte vitale.” (A foreigner or homeless person can be vaccinated in a vaccination centre even if he or she does not possess a carte vitale). You can also print out this text before heading to your appointment.

The University of Kent Paris School staff will continue to update you on the accessibility of vaccinations and important health recommendations. Staff cannot, however, advise on individual situations. Information on how to see a doctor in France will be provided as part of our Welcome Week programme.