Children wait up to obtain vaccine doses in France.

On Wednesday, French youngsters held fearfully to their parents as they entered a massive vaccine center west of Paris, then walked gleefully away with a colorful “vaccination certificate,” as the country began mass COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11.

It comes at a crucial time for the French government, which is dealing with the greatest infection rates since the pandemic began while also attempting to avert a new lockdown.

The rapidly spreading omicron strain is anticipated to be prevalent in France by next week, according to the health minister, who ruled out any extra limitations on public life for the time being. Officials are hopeful that an increase in vaccines would be enough to relieve the growing demand on hospitals, where COVID-19 patients account for more than 60% of beds.

Children lined up for first-day vaccinations Wednesday at a “vaccinodrome” in the Paris suburb of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, sporting masks adorned with puppies, flowers, or Marvel superheroes.

One calmed down by rolling his toy car around on any flat surface he could locate. Another used his mother’s phone to play games. Alvin Yin, eight years old, sobbed as his nine-year-old sister Noemie sought to console him.

“It’s a little strange,” Dimitri Marck, 8, said. I saw it on the news, and now I’m here.” But he stated he’s delighted he got vaccinated so he can spend the holidays with his grandparents.

As part of expedited immunization efforts, France began vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds with health risks earlier this month and expanded it to all children in that age group on Wednesday. At least one parent’s agreement is required, and one parent must be present when the child is given a shot.

According to government statistics, more than 1,000 out of every 100,000 children aged 6 to 10 in France had been infected with coronavirus as of early December. According to Health Minister Olivier Veran, 145 children are currently hospitalized for serious illness caused by COVID-19, and 27 children are receiving medical treatment in intensive care units.

On Tuesday, France recorded 72,832 new cases and 16,000 individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19, one of the highest rates in Europe.

Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne asked firms to allow employees to work remotely for at least three, if not four days a week in a radio interview on Wednesday. In 2020, French companies mostly reverted to in-person work.

Nightclubs have been closed, and New Year’s Eve fireworks and other large-scale end-of-year activities, such as concerts, have been outlawed in France.

Veran explained, “It’s an evening sacrificed for a good cause.”

His major message, though, was to encourage more vaccinations. In France, more than 89 percent of adults aged 12 and up have had two doses, with approximately a third receiving a booster shot.

Hugo, 8, was the last in his family to receive the vaccine and felt left out. Benoit Chappaz, his father, said they got him vaccinated “not because the government told us to,” but for the sake of their family’s peace of mind and public health.

Evan, a 7-year-old American, squirmed in his chair nearby. COVID-19 killed his great-uncle, and his family knows a few people who have been hospitalized with the virus.

“I’m going to scream,” he stated when asked how he would deal with the injection. Then, if Mommy approves, I might be able to enjoy some ice cream or anything nice because I had a vaccine.”

Evan didn’t scream as the doctor inserted the needle into his arm. He wrapped himself around his mother instead, burying his head in her jacket.

He then proudly displayed his “diplome de immunization” as he walked away.