While the peak of the flu epidemic is expected very soon in France and many hospitals have been forced to trigger their white plan, the authorities recommend that unvaccinated people do so without further delay. Those over 65 are most at risk.
A vaccine considered very effective on this population is however absent from pharmacies, indicates BFMTV this Monday. Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, Efluelda is simply unavailable in the country. Several studies have established its greater effectiveness in people at risk, but to a relatively limited extent.
A withdrawal
In fact, the Directorate General of Health announced last spring the withdrawal of this vaccine from the French market. Sanofi made this decision, not wishing to lower its prices. “The authorities have decided to establish its new price at a level lower than the costs of production and distribution of this vaccine,” the company said in a press release at the time.
Efluelda, four times higher in dose than the classic VaxigripTetra vaccine, was available at the price of 30.90 euros in pharmacies. A price way above the others. But Sanofi assured that it could not reduce it by recalling its heavy investment to locate part of the production of Efluelda in France.
-Which vaccines to choose?
The Health Insurance website reminds that for “the 2024-2025 season, three influenza vaccines are available: Fluarix Tetra, Vaxigrip Tetra and Influvac Tetra (from 6 months). These vaccines can be used indifferently, whatever the target, according to the recommendations of the High Authority of Health.”
In its bulletin of January 15, Public Health France mentions “very high hospital activity” and a “clear increase in deaths” in the second week of the year. There were 611 deaths between January 6 and 12.
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