The French flag flies from the Eiffel Tower. (Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)PARIS - French authorities on Friday urged people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus ahead of the holiday festivities as infections surge and the government tries to avoid another lockdown."The fifth wave is here and it is here in full force," Prime Minister Jean Castex told a news conference, adding that the fast-spreading omicron variant is expected to dominate infections in France at the start of January.To curb the spread of the virus during the holidays, the government banned public concerts and fireworks displays at New Year's celebrations and called on people to avoid large gatherings and limit the number of family members.