Flu vaccine 2023: date, names, effectiveness, for whom?

There 2023-2024 flu vaccination campaign will start on October 17, 2023 and will be conducted together with that against Covid-19 indicated the general directorate of health (DGS) in July. According to new vaccination calendar updated in April 2023 by the Ministry of Health, the annual flu vaccination seasonal is now open to children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years old without comorbidity (in addition to adults). What you need to know about the 2023 edition of the flu vaccine.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

“The vaccine ensures a protection from 30 to 60%, the rate of effectiveness varies depending on the year“, underlines Pr Vincent Dubée, doctor specializing in infectious and tropical diseases at the University Hospital of Angers. A fortnight is necessary for the protection of the vaccine to be effective. The duration of protection of the vaccine is about 6 monthsindicates the Ministry of Health. “This average estimate depends on many factors such as age, the existence of pathologies, history of influenza or even the type of vaccine.” Always according to Ministry of Health, flu vaccination would prevent more than 2,000 deaths on average each year. “The effectiveness of the influenza vaccine is not absolute because the strains of virus responsible for epidemics are not all present in the vaccine. Also, the vaccine is less effective in some people due to a weaker immune system. It is therefore possible to be sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated. explains our specialist. On the other hand, the vaccine, which is prepared from killed virus, cannot in any case cause influenza. A small feverish reaction accompanied by a flu-like state can occur the next day, manifestations yielding in 2 days at most.

What is the cost of the flu vaccine?

It is necessary to distinguish the price of the purchase of the vaccine against the flu from that of the injection.

► Thevaccine purchase against the flu is 100% covered for people considered at risk and therefore a priority (people aged 65 and over, people with certain long-term conditions, pregnant women, etc.).

► For non-priority French people, the vaccine is chargeable. The price of the vaccine fluctuates between 6 and 10 euros in pharmacy.

► L’injection is covered at 70%, as with any medical procedure. If a doctor does the injection, the price is included in the consultation price. If it is a pharmacist or a nurse who carries it out, the price is 6.30 euros (in mainland France) with a remaining charge of 1.89 euros (moderator ticket).

What are the names of the 2023-2024 flu vaccines?

The flu vaccine was developed in the 1930s by the American biologist Jonas Salk. here is list of vaccines available for vaccination 2023-2024:

• INFLUVAC TETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent surface antigen vaccine against seasonal influenza.
• FLUARIX TETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent split-virion quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine against seasonal influenza.
• VAXIGRIPTETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent (inactivated, split-virion) influenza vaccine.
• EFLUELDA® (from 65 years old) : high-dose quadrivalent split-virion inactivated influenza vaccine against seasonal influenza.

When to get the flu shot?

Fragile people, at risk of a serious form of influenza, must be vaccinated from the start of the campaign. It takes about fifteen days to be protected. As a reminder, the flu epidemic generally occurs between the months of November and April, with a start most often at the end of December – beginning of January.

Do I need a prescription to get the flu shot?

There delivery of the flu vaccine is done by prescription for persons eligible for vaccination under the age of 16. Pharmacists cannot vaccinate minors under the age of 16.

► All persons 16 years of age and older for whom influenza vaccination is recommended can collect their vaccine directly from the pharmacy, on simple presentation of their voucher and their Vitale card, without a prescription. They can then be vaccinated by the professional of their choice: doctor, midwife, nurse and pharmacist (with the exception of people allergic to ovalbumin or to a previous vaccination who must be referred to their doctor or their midwife).

► For adults who are not a priority for vaccination, there is no need for a prescription to be vaccinated in pharmacies.

Who can be vaccinated at a pharmacy?

THE adults can get vaccinated by the doctors, nurses, midwives (for pregnant women and those around infants at risk) and pharmacists volunteers. “Vaccination is one of the optional missions that can be exercised by community pharmacists throughout the territory since March 1, 2019″, reminds theNational Order of Pharmacists. THE community pharmacist can vaccinate adults targeted by vaccination recommendations except for people with a history of severe allergic reaction to ovalbumin or previous vaccination and people not targeted by the vaccine recommendations. It can also vaccinate minors aged 16 and over who do not have certain allergies and for whom this vaccination is recommended. Pharmacists cannot vaccinate minors under the age of 16. If you have received a health insurance voucheryou can obtain the vaccine directly from the pharmacy on simple presentation of the voucher and get vaccinated by the pharmacist if it is voluntary. A prescription is not necessary. In the event that a eligible person did not receive or misplaced the invitation mail Health Insurance, his doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist can issue him a form of coverage, after ensuring his eligibility. Vaccination in pharmacies for priority groups is fully covered.

For whom is the flu vaccine free?

THE vaccine is free (no advance fee because 100% covered by health insurance) only for people at risk of severe forms of influenza. It pays for others. It’s not a question of age:

• THE people over 65 years old.
• THE pregnant women regardless of the trimester of pregnancy.
• THE children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years and having a medical condition that requires prolonged treatment due to a chronic pathology.
• The family environment of infants under 6 months of age with risk factors for influenza such as premature infants, in particular those with bronchodysplasia-type sequelae and children with congenital heart disease, congenital immune deficiency, pulmonary, neurological or neuromuscular pathology or a long-term condition.
• Obese people with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40 kg/m² and people staying in a follow-up care establishment as well as in a medico-social accommodation establishment, regardless of their age. On the other hand, liberal health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, midwives… who are in regular and prolonged contact with people at high risk of flu.
• People and children from 6 months, affected by certain chronic diseases.

→ Eligible patients (with the exception of pregnant women, relatives of infants at risk of serious flu or immunocompromised people and obese people) receive their vaccine reimbursement voucher in order to collect the vaccine free of charge from the pharmacist on presentation of this voucher, and get vaccinated by the professional of your choice. Persons under the age of 18 must have a medical prescription prior to vaccination.

→ If you are eligible but could not be identified and invited by the Health Insurance, talk to your doctor, your midwife or your pharmacist, who will be able to issue you a voucher allowing you to obtain the vaccine free of charge. On the other hand, the vaccine is not covered by health insurance for other insured persons.

What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

Vaccination against influenza is well tolerated. It can cause some mild reactions such as inflammation at the injection site, paina redness at the sting. A reaction febrile accompanied by muscle or joint pain can also occur the next day, manifestations yielding in 2 days at most. “The risk of occurrence ofserious side effects related to the vaccine such as Guillain Barre syndrome remains much lower than the risk of serious complications, directly linked to the occurrence of the flu itself, including Guillain Barré syndrome” specify the Ministry of Health. Still according to this sourceTHE allergic reactions are very rare (1 case out of 450,000 vaccinated).

What are the contraindications for the flu vaccine?

The vaccine should not be used in case ofallergy to active substances, to any of the other components of the vaccine, or to trace residues, such as egg or chicken protein. There vaccination should be postponed in case of acute illness with fever. You must then refer to the instructions for each vaccine to find out all the contraindications:

Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Is the flu vaccine reimbursed?

For the people targeted by vaccination recommendationsthe vaccine is 100% supported by health insurance. In practice, it is dispensed free of charge in pharmacies on presentation of the voucher. For the people not targeted by vaccination recommendations, the purchase can be made directly in the pharmacy without a prescription. It will not be refunded.

According to’Health InsuranceLinjection is reimbursed:

• 70% if it is the doctor or the midwife who vaccinates you during a consultation;
• 70% if the pharmacist vaccinates eligible people against seasonal flu
• 60% if you are vaccinated by a nurse, on medical prescription.

When should you get your flu vaccine reminders?

It is necessary that re-vaccinate every year due to the virus change from year to year. Indeed, this modification leads to a different composition of the vaccine. People who received a free flu vaccine the previous year can have the vaccine delivered by the pharmacy and go to a nurse without having to consult their doctor. To find a nurse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Thanks to Professor Vincent Dubée, doctor specializing in infectious and tropical diseases at the CHU d’Angers.