A flu epidemic that falls at the worst time for this pharmacist from Sainte-Pazanne (Loire-Atlantique). Although the current shortage affects medicines to combat this virus, cases reach the pharmacy of it.
“Currently in Sainte-Pazanne, out of a school of 360 children, there are 200 who are absent,” Olivier Charbeaux told the BFMTV microphone.
The epidemic, which first declared itself on November 30 in Brittany and Normandy, has spread rapidly throughout France, Public Health France warned in its latest bulletin dated December 14. All regions are now placed at the highest alert level.
In addition to a glaring shortage of medicines, there is also a delay in the vaccination schedule. “The delivery of vaccines, normally thunderous from the first days of the campaign, is paradoxically slower this year,” said Olivier Charbeaux.
Vaccination against influenza must “redouble efforts” in France after a “much slower start” than in previous years, which raises “fears of a return to the level of coverage” prior to Covid, the OECD had also warned on 5 december.
Fear of a “snowball effect” in the emergency room
A direct consequence of these two factors: the number of visits to the emergency room due to flu syndrome increased by 93% in one week, according to information from Public Health France.
However, this should not be the first reflex to adopt according to Anne-Marie Ladeveze, a family doctor in La Montagne (Loire-Atlantique), who advises calling your doctor to make an appointment.
“We must reserve emergencies for vital emergencies,” he reminded BFMTV.
“You have to avoid putting all these flu and covid viruses in hospital rooms,” he judged, fearing a “snowball effect.”
Since the start of the flu season, there have been three deaths in France, all over the age of 65.
Source: BFM TV
