The joint vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19 started on October 15. This is therefore an opportunity to get vaccinated, particularly for people at risk to develop a serious form. Why is it so important to get vaccinated? How to get vaccinated? We take stock.
Flu and Covid-19: why is it important to get vaccinated?
Last winter (2023-2024), the weeks of flu epidemic were the cause of a million and a half consultations and nearly 14,000 hospitalizations after visits to the emergency room. Regarding Covid-19, it is clear that it is still very present in our territory, particularly this fall.
However, you should know that the viruses of these diseases circulate very actively and appear very contagious. To protect yourself as best as possible, in addition to barrier gestures, the best protection capable of saving lives remains vaccination. It is also estimated that in France, an average of 2,000 lives per year are saved by vaccination against influenza among people aged 65 and over.
Like the vaccination campaign carried out in the fall of 2023, this year again, two vaccination campaigns against seasonal flu and Covid-19 are done jointly, as recommended by the High Authority of Health. Their launch was made on October 15.
Who should be vaccinated?
Obviously, these are the most vulnerable people which are targeted as a priority by this vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19. These people indeed present a significant risk of developing a serious form of these diseases or suffering from complications. These are:
To know! From 6 months after the last infection or the last vaccination booster, people most at risk of severe disease are eligible for vaccination against Covid-19. Knowing that this period is reduced to 3 months for immunocompromised people and people aged 80 or over. People with Down syndrome and those suffering from psychiatric disorders or dementia are also affected by vaccination against Covid-19.
Other population groups are also recommended to be vaccinated in order to protect those around them. This concerns the entourage of infants at risk of serious flu and immunocompromised people as well as home help for vulnerable people.
To know! Since 2023, seasonal flu vaccination has also been offered to children aged 2 to 17 who do not suffer from chronic illnesses.
How does joint vaccination work?
Given that this year, the flu viruses and the Covid-19 virus will certainly circulate at the same time again, the most vulnerable people must be vaccinated against both the flu and Covid-19 to be doubly protected.
In practice, how does it work joint vaccination ? According to health authorities, as long as a person is eligible for both vaccinations, it is recommended to carry out concomitant vaccination against Covid-19 and against seasonal flu. Two scenarios then arise:
- If the two vaccines are administered at the same time: the injections must be given in two separate areas.
- If the two vaccines are not administered at the same time, there is no particular time limit to respect between the two vaccinations.
To know! : Patient monitoring is indicated for a period of 15 minutes after the injection.
In any case, the most vulnerable people should not delay in being vaccinated because a delay of a few days after the injection of the vaccines is necessary to develop maximum protection before the start of the epidemic.
Sources
– Top start for the new vaccination campaign against flu and Covid-19. www.ameli.fr. Accessed October 20, 2024.
– Vaccination campaign against Covid-19 in fall 2024. DGS-urgent. Ministry of Health. . sante.gouv.fr. Accessed October 20, 2024.
Written by Déborah L.
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