Attitudes towards booster, testing and isolation, and their impact on COVID-19 response in winter 2022/2023 in France, Belgium, and Italy: a cross-sectional survey and modelling study

BACKGROUND: European countries are focusing on testing, isolation, and boosting strategies to counter the 2022/2023 winter surge due to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants. However, widespread pandemic fatigue and limited compliance potentially undermine mitigation efforts. METHODS: To establish a baseline for interventions, we ran a multicountry survey to assess respondents" willingness to receive booster vaccination and comply with testing and isolation mandates. Integrating survey and estimated immunity data in a branching process epidemic spreading model, we evaluated the effectiveness and costs of current protocols in France, Belgium, and Italy to manage the winter wave. FINDINGS: The vast majority of survey participants (N = 4594) was willing to adhere to testing (>91%) and rapid isolation (>88%) across the three countries. Pronounced differences emerged in the declared senior adherence to booster vaccination (73% in France, 94% in Belgium, 86% in Italy). Epidemic model results estimate that testing and isolation protocols would confer significant benefit in reducing transmission (17-24% reduction, from R = 1.6 to R = 1.3 in France and Belgium, to R = 1.2 in Italy) with declared adherence. Achieving a mitigating level similar to the French protocol, the Belgian protocol would require 35% fewer tests (from 1 test to 0.65 test per infected person) and avoid the long isolation periods of the Italian protocol (average of 6 days vs. 11). A cost barrier to test would significantly decrease adherence in France and Belgium, undermining protocols" effectiveness. INTERPRETATION: Simpler mandates for isolation may increase awareness and actual compliance, reducing testing costs, without compromising mitigation. High booster vaccination uptake remains key for the control of the winter wave. FUNDING: The European Commission, ANRS-Maladies Infectieuses Émergentes, the Agence Nationale de la Recherche, the Chaires Blaise Pascal Program of the Île-de-France region.

Auteur(s) : de Meijere Giulia, Valdano Eugenio, Castellano Claudio, Debin Marion, Kengne-Kuetche Charly, Turbelin Clément, Noël Harold, Weitz Joshua S, Paolotti Daniela, Hermans Lisa, Hens Niel, Colizza Vittoria

Année de publication : 2023

Pages : 100614

En relation avec

Nos dernières actualités

actualité

Enquête « Rapport au sexe » (ERAS) 2026 à destination des hommes ayant des...

actualité

Hervé Maisonneuve nommé référent à l’intégrité scientifique pour trois ans

Visuel illustratif

actualité

Baromètre de Santé publique France 2026 : lancement de l’enquête