SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES: French schoolchildren clung nervously to their parents as they entered a vast vaccine center west of Paris on Wednesday, then walked excitedly away with a decorated "vaccination diploma," as France kicked off mass COVID-19 inoculations for children age 5 to 11.
It's not a moment too soon for the French government, which is facing the highest recorded infection rates since the pandemic began but trying to avoid a new lockdown.
The health minister said Wednesday that the swift-spreading omicron variant is expected to be dominant in France by next week, but ruled out additional restrictions on public life for now.
Officials are hoping that a surge in vaccinations will be enough to limit the mounting pressure on hospitals, where COVID-19 patients occupy more than 60% of beds.
At a "vaccinodrome" in the Paris suburb of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, children lined up for first-day jabs Wednesday wearing masks adorned with puppies, flowers or Marvel superheros.
One worked out his nerves by rolling his toy car on any surface he could find.
Another played games on his mom's phone.
Eight-year-old Alvin Yin cried, while his 9-year-old sister Noemie tried to comfort him.
Dimitri Marck, 8, admitted, "It's a little weird. I heard about this on TV, and now I'm here."
But he said he's glad to get vaccinated so he can see grandparents for the holidays.
France started vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds with health risks earlier this month and expanded it to all children in that age group Wednesday as part of accelerated vaccination efforts.
Children need the consent of at least one parent, and one parent has to be present when they get a shot.
As of early December, more than 1,000 in every 100,000 children in France aged 6-10 were infected with coronavirus, according to government figures.
Currently, 145 children are hospitalised for severe illness due to COVID-19 and 27 children are receiving medical treatment in intensive care units, Health Minister Olivier Veran said Wednesday on BFM television.
France registered 72,832 new cases Tuesday and has 16,000 people hospitalised with COVID-19, among the highest numbers in Europe.
In a radio interview Wednesday, Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne asked companies to let employees work remotely wherever possible for at least three if not four days a week.
French businesses largely returned to in-person work in 2020.
France has shut down nightclubs and banned New Year's Eve fireworks and other mass end-of-year celebrations, including concerts.
"It's an evening sacrificed for a good cause," Veran said.
But his main message was to urge more vaccination.
More than 89% of people 12 and over in France have had two doses, and about a third have had a booster shot.
Hugo, 8, was the last member of his family to get the shot and felt left out.
His father, Benoit Chappaz, said they got him vaccinated "not because the government wants us to," but for their family's peace of mind and for general public health.
Nearby, American-born Evan, 7, squirmed in his chair.
His great-uncle died with COVID-19, and his family knows several people who have been hospitalised with the virus.
Asked how he would face the injection, he said, "I'm going to scream. And then maybe if Mommy agrees, I can get an ice cream or something sweet, because I got a vaccine."
As the doctor glided the needle into his arm, Evan didn't scream.
Instead, he wrapped himself around his mother and buried his head in her jacket.
Then as he left, he proudly held up his "diplome de vaccination."
Meanwhile, Belgium will further tighten coronavirus restrictions because of the surging omicron variant, authorities announced Wednesday.
But the country shied away from a full lockdown like in the neighboring Netherlands.
Cinemas, theaters and concert halls will be closed and indoor activities banned in Belgium.
Sports fans won't be allowed into stadiums and indoor venues.
Shopping will be curtailed with visitors forced to be spread out and groups entering a shop limited to two adults, possibly accompanied by children.
Bars and restaurants will be allowed to remain open until 11 p.m. but under limits.
The measures will take effect Sunday.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that "there is reason for concern. We are facing omicron."
He added that "what we know about it is bad news," referring to its high transmissibility.
"It is a tough package," virologist Marc Van Ranst said.
But much about the omicron variant remains unknown, including whether it causes more or less severe illness.
Scientists say omicron spreads even easier than other coronavirus strains, including delta.