I’flu epidemic will it hit very hard this winter in France? “For two years, the flu has been kept at bay, thanks to the barrier measures against the Covid”indicates to Parisian the professor of immunology and “ex-Covid Vaccine Mr.” Alain Fischer. But this year, and in particular due to the abandonment of many health measures such as wearing a mask indoors, protection looks much weaker. “Faced with this relaxation, there is a serious risk of an influenza epidemic”warns the professor.
And this winter, the flu could pair with Covid-19, including the 8e wave seems to be emerging in the country. “A Covid-flu cohabitation is nothing to be happy about. This is synonymous with a very high number of hospitalizations”, worries Alain Fischer. As an example, Australia – which is just coming out of winter – experienced a virulent combined epidemic of Covid and flu, the worst in five years. “What happened in Australia is an element of alert”says Professor Fischer.
In the United Kingdom too, health authorities already fear a “double epidemic” winter. “This winter could be the first time we’ve seen the effects of the so-called ‘twindemia’ with both Covid and flu in full circulation, so it’s vital that those most likely to contract serious illness from these viruses show up for vaccines to protect themselves and those around them”said Steve Russell, director of the NHS for vaccinations and screening at the Guardian.
Remobilize a population “who is sick of it“
In France, the 2022-2023 flu vaccination campaign will start on October 18. To simplify their organisations, the High Authority for Health (HAS) recommends coupling the flu vaccination campaign with that of the reminder with the bivalent vaccine against Covid-19. If this double injection is “very good and practical” for patients, “telling yourself that you will do your Covid reminder when the flu vaccine is there is a mistake“, believes Alain Fischer, and even more when one is one of the vulnerable people.
The professor also regrets that too few people, less than 40%, eligible for a fourth dose of vaccine (second booster dose) have received it. “We will have to remobilize a population that is fed up with infections and vaccines. But the reality of the risks obliges us to try vigorously to convince of the interest of vaccination.”
Who is affected by the flu vaccine? Vaccination primarily targets people said to be “at risk”, i.e. people aged 65 and over, people with certain chronic diseases and immune disorders, pregnant women, obese people whose BMI is greater than 40kg per m2 and those around infants under 6 months at risk of serious flu.
Sources:
- Flu: “There is a serious risk of an epidemic”, warns Professor Alain Fischer, The ParisianSeptember 28, 2022
- Millions urged to get flu and Covid jabs amid fear of winter ‘twindemic’ in UK, The GuardianSeptember 28, 2022
