Flu: vaccination open to all

This year, the flu vaccination campaign started earlier than expected – on October 22 instead of 26. The General Directorate of Health (DGS) explained that “in a context of circulation of Covid-19 and influenza viruses, the risk of co-infection and the development of serious forms and death”Was increased. Initially reserved for vulnerable groups, vaccination is now open to all French people.

Flu: 9,000 deaths each year in France

Until November 22, people considered at risk to be infected with the flu virus or to develop severe forms were indeed priority : people 65 years of age and over, people staying in nursing homes, pregnant women, people who are obese, immunocompromised or suffering from chronic diseases, professionals in regular and prolonged contact with people at risk of severe flu, as well as entourage of immunocompromised people and infants under 6 months of age who present risk factors for severe influenza (premature babies, etc.). For these audiences, the vaccine is free.

As of today, for others, it is possible to obtain it in pharmacies, without a prescription for adults, with a prescription for minors. The vaccine, which costs between 6 and 10 euros, can be administered directly by the pharmacist, by a doctor, a midwife or a nurse.

This injection is all the more important since each year in France, 2 to 6 million people are affected by the flu, which causes 9,000 deaths on average. In more than 90% of cases, these deaths occur in people over 65 years of age.

Influenza and Covid-19: both vaccines can be injected at the same time

A population that is also vulnerable to Covid-19. There is also no problem in administering the vaccine against this infection at the same time as that against the flu, explained the High Authority of Health (HAS) in a report. communicated published September 27. This possible co-administration was justified by “the imminent arrival of the seasonal flu epidemic in the region”, And the fact that“most of the priority audiences targeted by the influenza vaccination campaign are also affected by the administration of a booster dose against Covid-19”, Ie people over 65 and those with co-morbidities. “For these people, these two vaccinations are essential to avoid severe forms of influenza or Covid-19”, Affirmed the HAS.