The flu, like Covid-19, remains potentially serious infections for a significant part of the population. If the two vaccinations against Covid-19 and against influenza have the advantage of protecting the most fragile patients from serious forms, vaccination against influenza, by affecting a wider range of people, contributes to creating a “bubble of protection” around the sick. “ This break in the chain of contamination is essential to slow the spread of the epidemic », Underlines Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Union of Community Pharmacists Unions (USPO). Today, pharmacists are the main players in vaccination: 55% of flu vaccines and 90% of Covid-19 vaccines are administered by pharmacies. “ We can now carry out co-vaccination in both arms, which reinforces the effectiveness of each of the vaccines », adds Pierre-Olivier Variot.
Billing, a source of frustration
However, billing remains a sticking point. Pharmacists charge €7.50 for vaccination against influenza (in VGP) and €7.90 for vaccination against Covid-19 (in INJ code). “ The multiplication of these act codes is tedious and involves different remuneration. We must be able to invoice with the RVA code (€9.60 Editor’s note) as for other vaccines », declares Pierre-Olivier Variot.
A batch traceability problem
Another problem raised: certain software prevents the traceability of batch numbers for INJ vaccination. “ When we reported this difficulty to the National Health Insurance Fund, we did not receive a satisfactory response. », is indignant Pierre-Olivier Variot.
France
COVID-19
