The flu continues to be intense in the Occitanie region, with indicator levels exceeding the peaks of the two previous seasons. Faced with this worrying situation, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) announced the extension of the vaccination campaign until February 28, 2025. In the Gard department, the health authorities are calling for increased vigilance, particularly for populations the most vulnerable and children.
Viral circulation on the rise in Gard
The flu puts a lot of pressure on local healthcare facilities. Last week, 848 people visited the emergency room in the region for flu-like illnesses, of which 176 were hospitalized. Children under 15 are particularly affected, representing 7% of emergency room visits and 7.7% of hospitalizations in Occitanie. In Gard, these figures reflect a sharp rise in consultations in medical practices and hospitals.
Barrier gestures and vaccination: essential tools
To stem the spread of the virus, the ARS emphasizes the importance of barrier gestures, particularly in Gard families:
- Wear a mask in case of symptoms.
- Regular hand washing.
- Daily ventilation of enclosed spaces.
At the same time, vaccination remains a key weapon to protect populations at risk. People aged 65 and over, pregnant women, individuals with comorbidities and residents of medico-social establishments are particularly invited to be vaccinated. Vaccination coverage remains insufficient in the region, and the authorities are calling for collective mobilization to limit serious forms and hospitalizations.
-Specific actions for Gard
In Gard, targeted information campaigns and mobile vaccination devices are underway to reach isolated or poorly aware populations. These efforts aim to improve vaccination coverage, which remains below expectations.
Call for collective responsibility
The ARS recalls that vaccination provides dual protection, individual and collective. The less the virus circulates, the lower the risk of serious complications. In Gard as elsewhere, there is still time to get vaccinated to contribute to the fight against this winter epidemic.
