Covid France: Can foreign residents get booster without carte Vitale?
It is possible to receive your Covid booster in France without a carte Vitale as long as you are resident in the country.
Anyone who is resident in France is entitled to Covid vaccines, regardless of whether or not they have a carte Vitale
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Reader question: I have recently retired to France and have not yet received my carte Vitale health insurance card. Can I get my Covid booster regardless?
The health body the Caisse d’assurance-maladie states that vaccination against Covid-19 is open to all people who are resident in France, whether they are part of the social security system or not.
No eligible person should have to pay for their vaccination but you must take an identity document with you.
A carte Vitale is the most obvious form of identification which a vaccination centre may ask for - however, if you do not have a carte Vitale but are resident you can present a document confirming your temporary right to medical care.
This would apply to people who have been provided with a temporary social security number.
This is often given to people who have recently arrived in France and are in the process of applying for their permanent number and carte Vitale, as is the case here.
The temporary number will normally arrive in the post around three weeks after you first apply for a carte Vitale.
If you are concerned about proving that you are resident in France, you could take your visa, carte de séjour residence permit, proof of application for a carte de séjour and some recent utility bills with you.
How can I book my vaccination appointment?
Eligible people can book their vaccination or booster appointment by:
- Calling the vaccination hotline on 0800 009 110 between 06:00 and 22:00 any day of the week
- Calling your nearest vaccination centre using the list of numbers available on Santé.fr
- Making an appointment with your GP or at your local pharmacy
- Visiting the Doctolib platform
Read more:New hotline allows over-80s in France to book home vaccine appointment
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