Seasonal flu: “Every winter, the flu affects between 2 and 6 million people in France”, good reasons to protect yourself

The seasonal flu vaccination campaign is launched. For people at risk, becoming immunized against this virus thanks to the vaccine and protecting yourself from it by respecting barrier gestures means giving yourself every chance of escaping the disease, but also of protecting yourself from its possible consequences. sometimes very serious complications.

Why protect yourself?

“Every winter, the flu affects between 2 and 6 million people in France,” explains Professor Olivier Hanon, geriatrician at Broca hospital in Paris. “This viral infection is particularly dangerous for people aged over 65, leading to an average of 10,000 deaths per year, three times more than road accidents, and 18,000 hospitalizations. These figures remind us of the importance of effective prevention, particularly through vaccination.” And more than 90% of deaths occur among those aged 65 and over.

Unfortunately, vaccination coverage remains insufficient. Last year it stood at 47.1% among people targeted by vaccination, 54.0% among those aged 65 and over and 25.4% among those under 65 at risk of severe influenza. Figures lower than the 2022-2023 season. The health system also experienced a high level of intensity in terms of hospitalizations at the end of January and the beginning of February 2024.

Respiratory and cardiovascular complications

Indeed, as Professor Oliver Hanon points out, “the flu can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular complications, particularly in the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. The risk of hospitalization for a respiratory or cardiac complication is significantly increased after a In fact, in the weeks that follow, patients see their risk of myocardial infarction multiplied by 6 to 10, and their risk of stroke multiplied by 3 to 8.”

Hence the importance of raising awareness among these populations about vaccination and respecting barrier gestures. “We are fortunate to have vaccines against influenza and its complications. Vaccination is an essential prevention tool which reduces the risk of mortality by 43%, reduces respiratory infections by 20% and reduces by 26%. the risk of cardiovascular accidents. It thus offers, in addition to barrier gestures, valuable protection against the virus and its complications.

To note : patient associations, pharmaceutical laboratories, research institutes and health professionals join forces within the “A-GRIPPE-TOI!” coalition. It aims to establish a new dialogue in order to reflect on the problem linked to the vaccination of adults at risk and to propose concrete actions. Like, for example, a vaccination strategy which must be at the heart of the concerns of politicians and the administration.