For the 14th consecutive year, you can contribute to monitoring epidemics of acute respiratory infections – including influenza and Covid-19 – by joining the Grippenet/Covidnet study. No need to be sick to participate: simply register anonymously using an email address and complete a one to five minute questionnaire online, once a week.
The Grippenet/Covidnet study restarts on Monday November 25, 2024, to allow the monitoring of respiratory infections during the winter season. This research system collects data directly from the general population, to supplement those obtained via traditional epidemiological surveillance systems. In particular, it makes it possible to collect information on people who do not consult health professionals in the event of symptoms. It also allows the carrying out of epidemiological studies on various themes (vaccination, healthcare use, mental health, tick bites, long Covid, etc.), offered to participants.
How to participate?
All people who reside in mainland France can participate in Grippenet/Covidnet, anonymously and voluntarily, regardless of their state of health. For that, just go to www.grippenet.fr and register using an email address.
After completing a registration questionnaire and a second on their vaccination status, participants will be invited each week to complete a form summarizing the symptoms they have experienced or not experienced since their last connection (no symptoms, fever, cough, etc.). This weekly participation is free (not obligatory) and takes between 1 and 5 minutes. In return, participants are informed of the results of the study and receive regular updates on the situation of respiratory infections in France.
In the Alpes-Maritimes and Bas-RhinGrippenet/Covidnet joins the SISP&EaU project
This year, Grippenet/Covidnet is part of the SISP&EaU study (for Integrative Surveillance in Primary Care and Wastewater). This research project aims to identifier the best sources of information for epidemic surveillanceby evaluating what, how and when to measure to detect and monitor viral emergences, with systems accepted by the population and integrated into the decision-making processes of health authorities.
With this objective, SISP&EaU will collect various data over a year (from general medicine, pharmacies and the general population) on the circulation of respiratory viruses, in two departments: Alpes-Maritimes and Bas-Rhin. In this context, Grippenet/Covidnet participants who reside in these departments will receive weekly questionnaires throughout the year, beyond the usual winter season.
To increase the precision of the results obtained, the objective is to recruit nearly 1,000 new Grippenautes in the Alpes-Maritimes and Bas-Rhin: don’t hesitate to talk about it to those around you!
The SISP&EaU study is led by the Pierre-Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (iPLESP, unit 1136 Inserm/Sorbonne University) and the Obépine network (Epidemiological Observatory in Wastewater).
A look back at the 2023–2024 Grippenet/Covidnet season
During the previous season, 4,806 people participated in Grippenet/Covidnet, including a majority of women (59%) and 71% of participants with a level of study above the baccalaureate. A quarter of participants (25%) reported symptoms of acute respiratory infection at least once during the season, compared to 22% the previous year.
The data collected shows three peaks: at the beginning of December 2023 (week 48, corresponding to the bronchiolitis epidemic observed via other data sources), in January (week 3 and 4, corresponding to the influenza epidemic seasonal) and in April (week 14). The observed trends are consistent with those of other monitoring networks, with the exception of the last peak.
Concerning the use of care during an acute respiratory infection, 61% of participants did not consult a health professional, a figure comparable to the 2022–2023 season, while 28% consulted their general practitioner and 6% a (e) pharmacist. The use of hospital emergencies, an on-call service or SOS Médecins remained exceptional (3%).
The complete report of the season is available on the study website where you can also explore other aspects of the cohort: vaccination (flu and Covid-19), one-off studies on different health themes and scientific publications.
Launched in 2012 by Inserm, Sorbonne University and Santé publique France, the Grippenet/Covidnet study – initially named GrippeNet – evolved in 2020 to include monitoring of the Covid-19 pandemic. To find out more
