Who, when, where? How to get the flu shot

The flu vaccination campaign begins tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13. Everything you need to know to get vaccinated.

The flu usually strikes from October to March, and can lead to hospitalizations and even death. Two to eight million people are affected by the virus each year.

When to get vaccinated?

The 2020-2021 flu vaccination campaign begins on October 13, 2020 and will end on January 31, 2021. Nevertheless, it is recommended that vulnerable people get vaccinated at the start of the vaccination campaign.

Where to get vaccinated?

Health professionals authorized to vaccinate are doctors, nurses, midwives and volunteer pharmacists. You can therefore get vaccinated in the following places:

· with a liberal doctor in a town office;

· in a vaccination center (ask your town hall);

· in a PMI, for children up to 6 years old;

· with a private nurse, with a doctor’s prescription;

· with a midwife, for pregnant women and those around infants at risk of serious flu;

· in a drug store.

Be careful though: minors cannot be vaccinated by the pharmacist. People with a history of a severe allergic reaction to ovalbumin or a previous vaccination also cannot be vaccinated by a nurse or pharmacist, only by a doctor.

Who should get vaccinated?

Anyone can get the flu shot. The High Authority for Health recommends vaccination more strongly for people particularly exposed to the risk of serious complications from influenza, namely:

· people aged 65 and over;

· the people, including children from the age of 6 months, suffering from certain chronic diseases (respiratory or cardiac insufficiency, asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, etc.) see the complete list here, page 14 of the document);

· pregnant women ;

people suffering from obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2);

the entourage of infants under 6 months at risk of serious flu (with the aim of protecting infants who cannot be vaccinated) and immunocompromised people.

How much does it cost ?

The flu vaccine can be purchased in pharmacies for a price ranging from 6 to 10 euros depending on the laboratory.

For the priority people mentioned above, the flu vaccine is free. If you are concerned, your health insurance fund sends you an invitation and a voucher, to present to the health professional who gives the vaccine.

For the rest of the population, the flu vaccine is reimbursed at 65% of the basic Social Security rate. To this coverage can be added the reimbursement of any complementary health insurance for the insured, according to the terms of the contract.

And after ?

It takes about 15 days between the time of vaccination and the time when you are protected against seasonal flu. This is the time it takes for the immune system to react to the vaccine.

The flu vaccine does not provide 100% protection against the disease, so it is possible to contract the virus even if you have been vaccinated.

As the virus evolves, you have to get vaccinated again every year if you want to protect yourself against it.