French President Emmanuel Macron issued a mass appeal on Tuesday to get COVID-19 booster shots and announced a recall dose campaign for 50 to 64-year-olds due to start in December amid rising virus infections that are raising concerns across Europe.

Macron announced that anyone over 65 who was vaccinated more than six months ago will need to get a booster shot by mid-December for their “health pass” to remain valid, according to Associated Press reports.

Also Read: Stick to original, says Anthony Fauci as US allows mix and match booster shots

He assured that the health permit, which is necessary at all restaurants and many public places in France, will be strictly enforced. People must demonstrate confirmation of COVID-19 immunisation, a negative viral test, or recent recovery from the virus in order to acquire a pass.

Booster shots, currently authorized in France for anyone over 65 or with underlying health conditions, will be expanded to those 50 and over in December, Macron said.

“Each of us must play our part” to avoid a deadly “fifth wave” of the pandemic, Macron said in a televised speech.

Also Read: COVID vaccine to be compulsory for NHS staff in England by April 

Stressing that most of those hospitalised in France with the virus are unvaccinated, Macron also appealed to the 6 million other unvaccinated French people to “get vaccinated. Protect yourself.”

Nearly 75% of the French population is fully vaccinated, including 88% of adults. That is among the higher rates in Europe, but vaccinations have hit a plateau in recent weeks.

Macron also laid out ways that his government is trying to boost the economy.

Also Read: Chinese city offers reward to trace source of COVID outbreak

The speech came as virus cases are going up again in many European countries and some hospitals are coming under renewed strain, as vaccination efforts slow and winter approaches.

France is currently registering some 7,277 new coronavirus cases per day on average, up from a recent seven-day average low of 4,172 on October 10, and the country hit a one-month high for patients hospitalised due to Covid-19 on November 3, according to the AFP reports.

With inputs from the Associated Press