The vaccination campaign against flu and Covid-19 began this Tuesday, October 14 in France. Last winter, the serious flu epidemic caused the death of 17,000 people, according to figures from Public Health France, a figure well above the annual average. This year, authorities hope to avoid such a significant episode.
Is it ideal to get vaccinated today? “The sooner possible, the better,” encourages Sandrine Sarrazin, Inserm researcher at the Luminy Immunology Center in Marseille. “Immunity takes three weeks to activate,” he explains. In fact, if we get vaccinated in the coming days, “we will be prepared for the arrival of the peak,” warns Sandrine Sarrazin.
Even if you vaccinate very early, the immunization will remain effective throughout the winter. “We should not fear that the vaccine will not cover us for the entire season, things are well done,” says the researcher, who recommends getting vaccinated against flu and Covid, still very active, at the same time.
“It’s never too late”
For those who arrive late, Sandrine Sarrazin explains that it is never too late to get vaccinated. “Even in December it’s good,” he says. However, the risk is being overwhelmed by the peak of the wave, which generally occurs “between December and February,” the researcher observes. But sometimes this peak can surprise us as early as November. Or very late, in March.
The arrival of the peak often depends on “trips, trips or even school holidays,” says the immunologist, taking as an example children who go to their grandparents during their holidays. In fact, the latter can be carriers of the flu or Covid and then transmit it to their elders.
“Covid is very active, it is not a seasonal virus,” adds Sandrine Sarrazin.
To avoid contamination, the Inserm researcher recommends “reestablishing barrier gestures”, such as wearing a mask when we go to the home of a person considered at risk or ventilating the interiors.
Vaccination open to all
If the communication of the vaccination campaign focuses mainly on vulnerable people, such as pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases or even the elderly, for whom the vaccine is free, Sandrine Sarrazin reminds that “everyone has the right to be vaccinated.”
Last winter, 54% of people aged 65 and over were vaccinated against the flu, Public Health France reports, calling this vaccination coverage “low but stable” compared to 2023.
Source: BFM TV
