Who is affected by the vaccination campaign which begins this Tuesday?

HEALTH – Great start. This Tuesday, October 15 marks the start of vaccination against seasonal flu possibly combined with a booster against Covid. Health authorities hope to encourage the reflex of this double vaccination, especially for people at risk.

One of the major challenges is to“anchor the double flu-Covid vaccination” as “double protection for priority audiences”summarized Sarah Sauneron, Deputy Director General of Health, on Monday during a press conference.

Doctors, nurses, midwives and even pharmacists can perform the two injections, which can be given in a row, without this being obligatory. This vaccination campaign lasts until January 31, 2025.

Pregnant women, elderly people, relatives of vulnerable people…

More than 17.2 million French people are particularly invited to be vaccinated against these two viral pathologies which can, in certain cases, have fatal consequences. The categories targeted as a priority are at risk of developing serious forms: those over 65, residents of nursing homes, people of all ages suffering from certain chronic illnesses or severe obesity, pregnant women.

Vaccination is also recommended for caregivers and those around vulnerable people (seniors, infants, etc.). Vaccination is 100% covered, Health Insurance points out on its site.

If the seasonal return of the flu is well known, Covid-19, the cause of several epidemic waves each year, has added a health risk to the autumn-winter period, where other respiratory viruses also circulate, such as that of influenza. origin of bronchiolitis.

The dominant Covid JN.1 variant

Moreover, Health Insurance emphasizes that“in September 2024, an intensification of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be beginning in France because the monitoring indicators (in town and in hospital) for Covid-19 are on the rise”. Hence the need to protect ourselves even more against the virus, of which the JN.1 variant is now dominant.

Vaccination against influenza and Covid aims to “protect the most vulnerable, because it helps reduce serious forms and hospitalizations”but also to “reduce pressure on a heavily strained health system”underlined the representative of the Ministry of Health. Another stated objective: to raise the level of flu vaccination for seniors but also for caregivers, which is in decline.

“Vaccination coverage for those over 65 has declined” compared to the previous season, alerted the general director of Public Health France Caroline Semaille, judging that “it’s alarming because the patients hospitalized and in intensive care are those over 65”.

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