The Ministry of Health, Health Insurance and Public Health France are calling for the mobilization of citizens and health professionals to protect the most vulnerable people and those with whom they are in contact.
According to the latest national bulletin from Public Health Franceall flu surveillance indicators increased during the week of November 18, with three regions (Ile-de-France, Normandy and Hauts-de-France) in pre-epidemic. Given the winter period, the epidemic dynamics of respiratory viruses is likely to accelerate rapidly in the coming weeks and requires preparation. Thus, with the end of year holidays approaching, health authorities are calling for increased mobilization of citizens and health professionals to vaccinate the most vulnerable people against seasonal flu and Covid-19. Getting vaccinated is a simple gesture and remains the most effective way to prevent serious forms of influenza infections and Covid-19.
People eligible for flu vaccination
- people aged 65 and over;
- people under 65, including children aged 6 months and over, suffering from certain chronic illnesses (list of eligible people in vaccination schedule) ;
- pregnant women;
- people suffering from obesity (body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40);
- people staying in a follow-up care establishment or in a medico-social accommodation establishment whatever their age.
Vaccination is also recommended for other populations in order to ensure indirect protection by vaccinating:
- healthcare professionals and any professional in regular and prolonged contact with people at risk of severe influenza;
- those around infants under 6 months at risk of serious complications from influenza and immunocompromised people;
- home help for vulnerable individual employers;
- cabin crew on boats and planes, travel industry personnel accompanying groups (guides).
Finally, professionals exposed to swine and avian influenza viruses are also invited to be vaccinated to prevent transmission of human influenza viruses to animals. It is a collective protection measure against swine or avian viruses and this vaccination against human flu can slow down its circulation.
Vaccination against seasonal flu can now be offered to children aged 2 to 17 years without chronic illness (comorbidity).
Professionals in healthcare establishments, the medico-social sectors and those in the field of home help are therefore invited to be vaccinated against the flu, but also to receive a booster dose against Covid-19.
Consult the list of people for whom vaccination is recommended appearing in the vaccination schedule (pages 11 and 16) published by the Ministry of Health.
The vaccine is 100% covered for populations at risk. Letters are sent to the people concerned with a flu vaccination voucher allowing the free delivery of the vaccine.
Practical conditions for influenza vaccination according to profiles
Several cases can arise:
- You are over 11 years old and eligible for vaccination. You benefit from a simplified procedure and receive a voucher at your home to collect your vaccine directly from the pharmacist, upon presentation of this voucher and your Vitale card. You can be vaccinated by the professional of your choice: doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist.
- You are under 11 years old. You must have a prior medical prescription for your child to collect their vaccine from the pharmacy and to have them vaccinated by a nurse. This prescription is written directly by the doctor or midwife on the care voucher sent by Health Insurance or printed by the healthcare professional. Vaccination can be carried out by a doctor, a midwife or a nurse (on medical prescription), but not by a pharmacist.
- You have children aged 6 months to 17 years with a chronic illness presenting a risk of developing a serious form of the flu. You will receive a health insurance voucher. The vaccine is 100% covered.
- You have children aged 2 to 17 without chronic illness (without comorbidities). Vaccination by the healthcare professional who follows your child may be offered. The vaccine is 65% covered by Health Insurance. You do not receive a health insurance voucher. The professional who offers vaccination prints a specific care voucher. You collect the vaccine at the pharmacy upon presentation of this voucher and the Vitale card.
Flu prevention is based on vaccination but also on respecting barrier measures:
- wash your hands regularly, with soap and water or with a hydro-alcoholic solution;
- cough or sneeze into your elbow;
- use a single-use tissue;
- wear a mask;
- limit contact with fragile or sick people.
Who can vaccinate against flu and covid?
| Healthcare professional | Public to whom the professional is authorized to prescribe and/or administer the flu and covid-19 vaccine | |
| Flu | Covid-19 | |
| Doctor (for memory) | Any person, prescription and administration | Any person, prescription and administration |
| Nurse | Prescription and administration to all people aged 11 and over, targeted or not targeted by the recommendations | Prescription and administration to all people aged 5 and over, targeted or not targeted by the recommendations |
| Community pharmacistin pharmacy for indoor use or working in a medical biology laboratory, having followed training in vaccination against influenza or against Covid-19 | Prescription and administration to all people aged 11 and over, targeted or not targeted by the recommendations | Prescription and administration to all people aged 5 and over, targeted or not targeted by the recommendations |
| Pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist trained in administration, provided that they have followed specific training, provided and certified by a health professional trained in the administration of vaccines | Administration to adults with the exception of people with a history of severe allergic reaction to ovalbumin or previous vaccination. (To promote vaccination against covid-19 and against seasonal flu for people for whom this double vaccination is recommended) | Administration to persons aged 12 and over, except:
|
| Midwife | Any person, prescription and administration | Any person, prescription and administration |
| Postgraduate medical student | Any person, administration only. Under the supervision of a supervisor. | Any person, administration only. Under the supervision of a supervisor. |
| Postgraduate pharmacy student | All people aged 11 and over, whether or not targeted by the recommendations. Under the supervision of a supervisor and on the condition that he has followed either the theoretical and practical lessons relating to vaccination as part of the initial training, or the training in the administration of the flu vaccine or the Covid-19. | All people aged 5 and over, whether or not targeted by the recommendations. Under the supervision of a supervisor and on the condition that he has followed either the theoretical and practical lessons relating to vaccination as part of the initial training, or the training in the administration of the flu vaccine or the Covid-19. |
Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations
If you are concerned by these two vaccinations, you can have them carried out on the same day. There is in fact no delay to be observed between the two vaccinations.
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