“It’s been 20 years since I had the flu”, start of the vaccination campaign in Béarn and Bigorre

Kick-off of the vaccination campaign against flu and Covid-19, this Tuesday, October 15. It targets people over 65 years old, and people under 65 years old with comorbidities, or who are immunocompromised. The two injections can be given at the same time. One way to avoid contamination of people at risk this winter. Health Insurance sent a letter to the populations concerned in Béarn and Bigorre. The letter contains a vaccination voucher to present at a pharmacy, to your doctor or to a nurse to be fully reimbursed.

Declining vaccination coverage

Some have already received it for a few weeks already, like Robert 80 years old. He wasted no time and visited a pharmacy in downtown Pau on the first day. Since these annual campaigns have existed, it became a formality for him. “It’s been 20 years since I’ve had the flu, so there must be something effective in it”Robert responds to skeptical people.

Fewer and fewer elderly people or people at risk are getting vaccinated against flu and Covid. According to figures from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency (ARS), less than half of 65-74 year olds have been vaccinated in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. A rate judged “very insufficient” by the ARS. It is even worse among people at risk under 65, suffering from comorbidity, or immunocompromised. Only 25% of eligible people received an injection. A figure down six points compared to the 2022-2023 campaign. Same downward trend in the Hautes-Pyrénées.

Not yet a critical period

However, vaccines help prevent serious forms of viruses. You still have to do them at the right time. The campaign is launched in mid-October everywhere in France, but certain Béarnaise pharmacies advise postpone the first injection a little. “The flu circulates especially when it is very cold, but it is still very mild in Béarn. We are not yet in a period of influenza virus”explains Céline, pharmacist in a pharmacy in downtown Pau. The vaccine is really effective for four months. “With an injection in November, you are really protected until March or April“, explains Céline. The campaign is open until January 31, 2025.