Since the launch of the flu vaccination campaign on October 15, nearly a million French people have already been vaccinated against the flu in pharmacies, welcomes the Federation of Community Pharmacists (FSPF). This measure has just been extended to the whole country.
In France, during the winter of 2018/2019, more than 10,000 people were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms and more than 1,800 people were admitted to the intensive care unit. A total of 8,100 deaths are attributed to the flu over this period. Hoping to reduce the damage caused by seasonal flu this year, French health authorities have recently allowed vaccination against the disease in all pharmacies for people at risk. And it would seem that this new measure is already paying off since nearly a million French people have already been vaccinated against the flu by their pharmacist, according to an initial report released by the Federation of Community Pharmacists (FSPF) Tuesday, November 19.
“This vaccination campaign marked by the generalization of the possibility of being vaccinated in pharmacies, therefore already promises to be a great success”, welcomes the FSPF in a press release. “A quarter of French people already vaccinated were vaccinated by their pharmacist (…) The 2019 vaccination campaign, which began on October 15has already exceeded one million patients vaccinated by their pharmacist out of a total of nearly 4 million doses delivered (…) on 1er November”, it is specified.
After two years of experimentation in four test regions, people vulnerable to the flu can now be vaccinated in pharmacies throughout the country without having to go through a doctor or nurse.
More than 13 million eligible French people
Those over 65 are concerned, patients with chronic illness (diabetes, heart or respiratory failure) or severe obesity and pregnant women, i.e. more than 13 million people, according to health authorities.
In concrete terms, eligible persons automatically receive by mail from their health insurance fund a care voucher before the launch of the vaccination campaign. On presentation of the latter and subject to being of legal age (the doctor’s prior prescription remains necessary for those under 18), they can then collect the vaccine free of charge from the pharmacy and have the serum injected by a volunteer pharmacist. All pharmacists in France can theoretically vaccinate, provided they have undergone a short training.
If the vaccine is free, the act of vaccination is not. “The injection of the vaccine is reimbursed at the usual rate, except for patients covered at 100% for a long-term illness (ALD) for which vaccination is recommended., specifies the Health Insurance on its website ameli.fr. Carried out in a pharmacy, the injection will therefore cost €6.30. By a doctor or nurse, it will be taken care of up to 70% or 60% of the conventional rate by Social Security.
Allow 15 days for the vaccine to take effect
For the flu vaccine to be effective, you need to get vaccinated every year. A single injection is sufficient for adults, while children under nine who have never been vaccinated will need to receive two injections one month apart.
And of course, if the vaccine against the flu is only free and can be administered in pharmacies for a certain category of people, everyone can benefit from it. If you’re planning to get vaccinated, don’t wait for the virus to spread, get it now. Remember also that it takes 15 days between the time of vaccination and when you will be effectively protected.
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