“Epidemiological indicators for influenza are increasing in three regions” including Normandy, according to the Director General of Health. However, the vaccination campaign, including for Covid, is off to a bad start. A vaccinologist recalls the importance of injections against respiratory infections, to also prevent vascular accidents.
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Populations aged 65 and over, suffering from chronic illnesses, severe obesity, pregnant women, nursing home residents, etc. In all, 17.2 million people are invited to be vaccinated.
Health authorities are calling for “ increased mobilization ”, because the campaign is starting too slowly. At the end of November, the number of vaccines delivered against influenza fell by 5% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions.
Problem: at the same time, “ epidemiological indicators for influenza are increasing in three regions: Île-de-France, Normandy and Hauts-de-France, said Dr Grégory Emery, Director General of Health.
The annual vaccination campaign, which started on October 15, 2024, concerns two diseases: Covid-19 and the flu. Vaccines take around 15 days to be effective, so you don’t have to wait.”to be protected during the end-of-year holidays“, insist the authorities.
How can we explain this poor start? According to Dr Jean-Philippe Leroy, expert in vaccinology at Rouen University Hospital, “ there are two phenomena “. According to the doctor, “ a number of people continue to think that Covid vaccination is not necessary. » Second observation: “when we tell people that it should be grouped with the flu, it puts them off. »
Why not just one vaccine? “ The Pfizer laboratory, which is the most advanced in this area, has not succeeded in grouping the same injection” explains Dr. Leroy. The latter advises carrying out the two injections at the same time, because “ 15 to 20% of people do not come for the 2e injection after making an appointment, they forget. »
However, these little bites are of capital importance. Certainly, the flu and covid cause respiratory infections, but “ we discover that these viruses are also responsible for vascular problems », explains Dr Leroy.
According to him, “ many doctors are not aware », but on note that « in the 8 days to 1 month following an episode of flu, we have more heart attacks and strokes.” The rate of strokes would be multiplied by 8, and heart attacks by 10.
« So vaccines prevent coughing, but not only that: they also prevent heart attacks and strokes. This is something we didn’t know, it’s something new. »
The vaccinologist also recalls that the flu vaccine can cause “ a small side effect, a headache, but it goes away after a few hours with paracetamol”. « The vaccine does not give the flu, it is an inactivated vaccine. insists Dr. Leroy.
