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Paris (AFP) – French health authorities announced on Friday an extension until February 28 of the national vaccination campaign once morest seasonal flu, the circulation of which remains very active in mainland France and overseas.
“This year, the seasonal flu epidemic started early and was characterized by high intensity circulation in December and marked severity,” said the Ministry of Health, Health Insurance in a joint statement. and Public Health France.
Despite a marked decrease in influenza indicators since the beginning of the year, “the circulation of influenza viruses is still active. An upward recovery in the indicators remains possible in the weeks to come”, warn these three authorities.
Since the start of the vaccination campaign, more than 9 million people targeted by the recommendations have already been vaccinated once morest influenza, more than last year.
“Vaccination is particularly recommended for people at risk who are likely to develop a serious form. For these populations, the flu vaccine is fully covered by National Health Insurance and is the best way to protect themselves from the virus and its complications”, add these three authorities, indicating that 2,000 lives are saved each year on average among those over 65 thanks to vaccination.
Alongside vaccination, the systematic adoption by all of barrier gestures remains an effective means of protecting once morest respiratory infections and their complications.
The end of 2022 was marked by the conjunction of three epidemics: the Covid, the flu and, in infants, bronchiolitis which gave rise to unprecedented hospitalizations for ten years.
In addition to the seasonal flu vaccination, the Covid reminder campaign remains open to all. Vaccination once morest Covid is particularly recommended for all people aged 60 and over or with a risk factor during this winter period.
“It is quite possible to administer the vaccines once morest Covid-19 and seasonal flu concomitantly. If the two vaccines cannot be administered at the same time, there is no particular time limit to be observed between the two injections”, recall the three authorities.
© 2023 AFP
