Since Tuesday, October 13, 5.3 million vaccines have been delivered, half of all vaccines ordered in 2019.
- 60% of pharmacies are already out of stock of flu vaccine.
- Every winter, 2 to 6 million people are affected by the flu virus.
The least we can say is that the pro-vaccination message from the health authorities has passed. According to a survey carried out by the USPO, 60% of pharmacies are already out of stock of flu vaccine, and 92% of pharmacies will be out of stock if the second delivery is not brought closer, while 40% of units remain yet to deliver.
The objective is to approach 75% coverage
“We should have contacted the priority people, then the nursing staff, and then looked at what we had left. It all looks like improvisation.” laments in The Dispatch Pascal Fontaine, commercial director of the Lafayette group. “The communication on vaccination has precipitated the demand for vaccines from our patients. In the first week, we had an influx of patients who were afraid of a shortage”, adds Bruno Julia, president of the Union of Unions of Community Pharmacists (USPO) Occitanie.
In a recent press release, the ANSM, supported by the health authorities and many politicians, had pleaded for a massive vaccination against the flu, which it is possible to carry out from Tuesday October 13 until January 31, 2021. “For this vaccination campaign, the objective is to approach 75% coverage as recommended by the WHO among the people targeted by the recommendations”. explained the ANSM, in particular with the aim of reducing the risk of a cross-epidemic with Covid-19.
2 to 6 million people are affected by the flu virus
Last year, the vaccination coverage rate of the population targeted by these recommendations was only 47.8%. It reached 52% for those over 65 but was only 30% for those under 65 at risk. Furthermore, “it remains very insufficient among health professionals, with great heterogeneity observed, particularly in health establishments and nursing homes”, insisted the health agency.
Every winter, 2 to 6 million people are affected by the flu virus, which is manifested by symptoms such as high fever, cough, pain, intense fatigue… This disease is sometimes fatal, especially for fragile people, who may develop pneumonia or see an existing chronic disease worsen.
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