Autumn brings a renewed wave of COVID-19 in France
France’s public health surveillance is reporting a resurgence of COVID-19 as the autumn season begins. The Sentinelles network, which tracks acute respiratory infections in the country, recorded an incidence rate of 49 cases per 100,000 inhabitants among people seen in consultations in the week of September 15–21. This marks a rise for a second consecutive week and reflects a moderate level of activity, according to the organization.
Complementary data from the Relab surveillance network show that roughly one in four COVID tests performed in city medical biology laboratories returned positive in the same week. Santé publique France also noted a 37% increase in hospitalisations related to COVID-19 during that period, underscoring that the rebound is not merely a statistical blip.
The Frankenstein variant XFG: what we know
Experts point to the rise being partly driven by the XFG variant, nicknamed the “Frankenstein” for its hybrid origin from multiple virus lineages. While scientists monitor its spread across Europe, Dr. Nathan Peiffer-Smadja, an infectious disease specialist at Hôpital Bichat, cautions against overreacting to the name: “The movement of respiratory viruses is a seasonal trend as temperatures drop and children return to school. This fall pattern is expected, and the variant’s emergence is part of that landscape.”
Anticipated implications are more about transmission than sudden changes in virulence. Dr. Peiffer-Smadja notes that Omicron-derived variants remain highly transmissible but generally less severe than the original virus, a pattern that has characterized COVID-19 for some time.
Antonin Bal, deputy director of the National Reference Center for Viruses and Respiratory Infections at the Hospices Civils de Lyon, adds that the current strain remains close to the vaccine lineage. “That closeness should help preserve vaccine effectiveness, especially against severe forms of the disease,” he explains. Nevertheless, the public health message emphasizes protecting the most vulnerable groups through vaccination and preventive measures.
Who is most at risk and why vaccination matters
Even as the overall picture may seem manageable, certain populations remain particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Immunocompromised individuals, transplant recipients, those undergoing chemotherapy, and very elderly people should pay special attention to vaccination and exposure risks. For these groups, getting a booster dose remains a key line of defense against severe illness.
France’s vaccination campaign is set to begin on October 14 and run through January 31, 2026. Health officials emphasize that vaccination strongholds the protection of those at risk and helps keep hospital demand manageable during the autumn respiratory virus season.
Vaccination uptake remains a concern
Bal also cautions that public participation in vaccination campaigns has not been optimal. “Only about 30% of the eligible population received the COVID-19 vaccine last year,” he notes. This gap underscores the ongoing challenge of achieving broad immunity and the importance of targeted outreach to high-risk groups and healthcare workers.
What to expect in the coming weeks
Public health authorities anticipate that cases may continue to rise in the short term as the season progresses. The key message is to stay vigilant: monitor symptoms, test when appropriate, and protect vulnerable individuals through vaccination and proven preventive measures such as mask use in high-risk settings and good hand hygiene. While the Frankenstein XFG variant is part of the evolving landscape, the overarching strategy remains familiar—early detection, vaccination, and prompt clinical care for those who need it.
A practical takeaway
As autumn unfolds, the public health emphasis is on balancing continued vigilance with practicality. For people at higher risk, scheduling a vaccination appointment as soon as possible can reduce the risk of severe disease. For the general population, staying informed about local guidance and continuing sensible precautions will help curb transmission while the respiratory virus season unfolds.
