Severe fatigue, headaches, aches and then a blocked nose. After having “slept 30 hours in one weekend“, Mathilde decided to take the Covid test. Positive. Chloé, 29 years old, however had a strong cough. She was declared Covid.
We had almost forgotten it, but Covid is still circulating. It would even be on the rise at the beginning of October, as evidenced by the epidemic situation update published by Santé Publique France. The health agency notes a “intensification of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be beginning. In terms of wastewater, the increase in Covid detection continues but remains below the level of the same period last year. Developments will need to be monitored vigilantly over the coming weeks.“
For its part, Health Insurance warns that this increase in the circulation of Covid is “worn by adults and more particularly those aged 65 and over“.
Named XEC, the new variant, which appeared in Germany this summer, is gaining ground in France and could become the winter virus. “The virus has established itself in the landscape of respiratory infections, almost like the seasonal flu. With one difference, Covid-19 variants appear much more often, unlike the flu and colds.“, notes Philippe Halfon, infectious disease specialist at the European Hospital in Marseille.
Should we be worried?
However, should we be worried about the arrival of XEC? “We are still on the lookout for a new, more aggressive variant, but according to the data we have, there is no worrying signal, continues Dr. Halfon. He does not present any parenchymal damage (lung lesion, Editor’s note). This is a classic symptomatology known with the Omicron variant. ENT infections with severe fatigue for a few days, sore throat, runny nose.“In 10% of cases, symptoms of diarrhea were reported.”Very classic with Omicron.“
It is in this context that the new vaccination campaign opens tomorrow in France. According to the High Authority for Health (HAS), vaccination against Covid-19 is recommended for people at risk of serious illness and based on the model of the flu vaccination campaign.
This year, the Comirnaty® JN1 vaccine developed by Pfizer is the only mRNA vaccine distributed in France as requested by the Directorate General of Health. For those who wish to be vaccinated, the time limit to be respected after the last vaccine injection or the last Covid-19 infection is a minimum of 6 months. This period is reduced to 3 months for immunocompromised people and people aged 80 and over.
As a reminder, last year, 30.2% of those aged 65 and over were vaccinated against Covid-19, including 36% of those over 75. Also note that these are the Brittany and Pays de la Loire regions, with respectively 37.2% and 37.4% of those over 65 who have been vaccinated. Still, wearing a mask on public transport or when you are sick and washing your hands regularly are barrier gestures that are still relevant today.
Flu and Covid vaccine: instructions for use
The vaccination campaigns against seasonal flu and against Covid-19 are carried out jointly and begin on October 15. Who is affected by vaccination? People aged 65 and those suffering from certain chronic illnesses, obesity, immunocompromised people or even pregnant women.
Vaccination against the two diseases is also recommended for those close to these vulnerable people, as well as for professionals in the medical and social sectors. These vaccines can be administered by a doctor, nurse, midwife, or pharmacist. It is also possible to perform both vaccines at the same time. Please note that they are 100% supported.
