Across the Occitanie region, more than 1.6 million people considered “at risk” are encouraged to be vaccinated against flu and Covid-19. But last year, only a little more than half of people over 65 had received the flu vaccine. Worse, against Covid-19, barely 28% of those over 65 would go through the vaccination box in 2023. And this fall, two weeks after the start of the new vaccination campaign, the population is still not rushing not in pharmacies.
A vaccination without an appointment
The Occitanie Regional Health Agency (ARS) emphasizes the need to be vaccinated against seasonal flu and against Covid-19, especially for people at risk, to avoid any complications. In pharmacies, this is where more than 60% of vaccines against the two pathologies are carried out.
In Toulouse for example, in the Grands Boulevards pharmacy, very close to the Saint Georges shopping center, no need to make an appointment to be vaccinated. For people affected by the flu vaccine, you simply need to remember to bring a social security voucher. But vaccination against the flu and against Covid-19 is not always very clear to everyone. “I was discussing vaccination with a client a few days ago, but for him, Covid is like the flu. So he prefers to get the flu vaccine,” breathes Mathilde Galinier, pharmacist.
Weather too mild?
But they are indeed two distinct vaccines, assures the employee of the Grands Boulevards pharmacy. And whether it’s flu or Covid, for two weeks, it’s been a “small start” for the vaccination campaign. Mathilde Galinier lists “around twenty people vaccinated every day” against both diseases. “I think in November it will be a little bit different when the cold starts to come in. I think people will be more alert.”
Laurence is 61 years old, but her only flu vaccine was more than 20 years ago. “I feel in great shape so I don’t see why I would do it now. The day I’m vulnerable, I’ll think about it. If I feel weak, I’ll do it. If I don’t feel vulnerable, I won’t I won’t do it.” Same story for Philippe, aged 50. “I don’t consider it as something really serious, even if it can be for older people, but not at my age, that’s not how I feel.”
Covid and flu at the same time
At the Grands Boulevards pharmacy in Toulouse, Mathilde Galinier ensures that it is possible to kill two birds with one stone: “There have been recommendations that we could vaccinate flu and Covid at the same time. So we have a good number of people at risk who come to be vaccinated for both pathologies.” Beyond the vaccine, the Regional Health Agency also reminds the barrier gestures to be applied, between ventilation of living rooms, regular hand washing or wearing a mask in busy places.
