The flu is accelerating. In its latest epidemiological bulletin dedicated to influenza published this Wednesday, Public Health France warns of the sharp increase in hospitalizations for influenza and influenza-like illnesses.
“The intensification of the circulation of influenza viruses continues in all metropolitan areas,” the agency warns.
According to this organization, the number of visits to the emergency room for this reason increased by 84% compared to the previous week. As for the number of hospitalizations after going to the emergency room, it has increased by 118%.
A trend that concerns all age groups but “more marked” between 5 and 14 years, Public Health France further points out, even if people aged 65 and over still account for more than half of hospitalizations after going to the emergency room and more than 40%. of severe cases of influenza admitted to intensive care.
Insufficient vaccination coverage
The flu “is increasing very strongly,” confirmed Rémi Salomon, head of the department of nephrology-pediatrics at the Necker hospital in Paris. Guest this Wednesday on BFMTV-RMC, this doctor also raised the alarm. “The situation is extremely tense in the hospitals,” he explained, adding that the flu epidemic was “in front of us.”
Therefore, Public Health France calls on people at risk to get vaccinated urgently and to respect everyone’s barrier gestures, “in particular during the end-of-year celebrations”.
Every year in France about 2,000 lives are saved thanks to vaccination against influenza, recalls the Health Insurance. Who adds: “3,000 additional lives could be if vaccination coverage in the territory reached the 75% target set by the World Health Organization, compared to around 53% during the 2021-2022 season.”
If the flu vaccination is aimed mainly at the most vulnerable people and health professionals -such as people aged 65 or over or adults and children with chronic pathologies- who receive a care voucher, from November 15 the People who are not targeted by the vaccination recommendations can still buy the vaccine at pharmacies.
Source: BFM TV
