A vaccination campaign in trouble. French health authorities are concerned about the low level of vaccination against Covid-19 and seasonal flu since the launch of the campaign on October 15.
The number of flu vaccine doses delivered has decreased by 5% compared to the same period last year. 8 million of these doses were delivered, compared to 8.4 million last year, according to the Federation of French Pharmaceutical Unions.
“We are finding it difficult to compensate for the bad start to the campaign,” declared Philippe Besset, its president.
That is why the Government launches this Thursday, November 28, “a call for the mobilization of citizens and health professionals to protect the most vulnerable people and those with whom they are in contact.”
A reminder that comes at a time when flu indicators are increasing in cities and in hospitals in most age groups in France, according to the latest bulletin published by Public Health France this Wednesday. Three regions, Ile-de-France, Normandy and Upper France, are even in a pre-epidemic situation. Covid-19 indicators are declining.
Flu indicators are increasing
The General Directorate of Health insists on the importance of getting vaccinated now against these diseases “taking into account the winter period” where “the epidemic dynamics of respiratory viruses will probably accelerate rapidly in the coming weeks.” Especially since the end of the year holidays are approaching and these vaccines take about 15 days to be effective.
This reminder about vaccination, which aims to prevent severe forms of influenza and Covid-19, is intended in particular for people at higher risk, that is, people aged 65 years or older, people with comorbidities or immunocompromised, pregnant women , but also to those around these people. .
“This year, more than 17.2 million people were invited by Health Insurance to be vaccinated against these two viruses,” specifies the General Directorate of Health. Since last week, emails, voice messages or text messages have been sent to affected people who have not yet been vaccinated.
Please note that for these people the flu vaccine is 100% covered by health insurance. The Covid-19 campaign is free for everyone over 5 years old.
“I strongly encourage the 17.2 million people invited to get vaccinated”
“Vaccinating the most vulnerable is the most effective way to prevent the serious forms that can cause flu and Covid-19,” says Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq.
“I strongly encourage the 17.2 million people invited to get vaccinated to contact their pharmacist, nurse, doctor or midwife to carry out this simple and useful gesture for everyone,” he adds.
All of these health professionals are authorized to carry out vaccination in order to “facilitate the widest possible administration.” More and more French people turn to their pharmacist. At this stage, pharmacists have administered 4.5 million doses of vaccines, an increase of 6% compared to last year, says the Federation of French Pharmaceutical Unions.
Health authorities insist on the need to have both vaccines, against Covid-19 and against flu. Please note that it is possible to receive the two injections concomitantly, “at two different injection sites in the body”, or sequentially, without requiring a delay between the two.
While healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, they are also asked to “mobilize” to educate their patients on this issue. They were sent an “urgent” document from the General Directorate of Health to remind them of the “need” for this “commitment.”
“Healthcare professionals play a fundamental role in informing patients, offering them these vaccines and reminding them of barrier gestures to protect themselves from respiratory viruses,” indicates the government service.
Source: BFM TV
