when, name, free for whom?

The new flu vaccination campaign was launched on October 15, 2024. “As recommended by the High Authority of Health, the two vaccination campaigns against Covid-19 and against the flu are being carried out jointly” informed the General Directorate of Health (DGS) in a press release in September. Every year in France, 10,000 people die from the flu virus. There vaccination would prevent more than 2,000 deaths according to the Ministry of Health. Reminder of terms and conditions. to get vaccinated.

When to get the flu vaccine?

Fragile people, therefore at risk of a serious form of flu, must be vaccinated from the start of the campaign, therefore mid-October, knowing that it takes around two weeks to be protected. As a reminder, the flu epidemic generally occurs between the months of November and April, most often starting at the end of December – beginning of January.

Who should be vaccinated first?

The Ministry of Health offers flu vaccination as a priority to people at risk of serious complications:

• those aged 65 and over,
• people with chronic illness (cardiovascular, pulmonary, diabetes, etc.),
• immunocompromised people,
• people with severe obesity and pregnant women
• those around these vulnerable people, including professionals in the medical and social sectors

Apart from these people, all French people who wish can be vaccinated against the flu. And since 2023, vaccination has also been open to children aged 2 and over.

Who can be vaccinated in pharmacies?

• adults targeted by vaccination recommendations with the exception of people with a history of severe allergic reaction to ovalbumin or a previous vaccination
• people not targeted by vaccination recommendations.
• minors aged 16 and over who do not have certain allergies and for whom this vaccination is recommended.
• Pharmacists cannot vaccinate minors under 16 years of age.

If you have received a health insurance voucher, you can obtain the vaccine directly from a pharmacy by simply presenting this voucher and be vaccinated by the pharmacist if it is voluntary. A prescription is not necessary. In the event that an eligible person has not received or has misplaced the invitation letter from Health Insurance, their doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist can issue them with a cover form, after having assured of his eligibility. Vaccination in pharmacies for priority populations is fully covered.

Free vaccination only for people at risk

The vaccine is free (no advance costs because it is 100% covered by Health Insurance) for people at risk of serious forms of flu. In practice, it is dispensed free of charge in pharmacies upon presentation of the voucher received at home (sent by Health Insurance). For people not targeted by vaccination recommendations, the purchase can be made directly in pharmacies without a prescription but it is not reimbursed. According to theHealth insurancethe vaccine injection is reimbursed:

• 70% if it is the doctor or midwife who vaccinates you during a consultation;
• 70% if it is the pharmacist who vaccinates eligible people against seasonal flu
• 60% if it is a nurse who vaccinates you, on medical prescription.

A vaccine effective from 30 to 60% for 6 months

“The vaccine provides protection of 30 to 60%, the effectiveness rate varies depending on the year,” underlines Professor Vincent Dubée, doctor specializing in infectious and tropical diseases at Angers University Hospital. So little? “The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is not absolute because not all virus strains responsible for outbreaks are present in the vaccine. In addition, the vaccine is less effective in some people due to a weaker immune system. It is therefore possible to get sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated. explains our specialist. But it is not because of the vaccine that we become ill since the inoculated virus is killed. A fortnight is necessary for the protection of the vaccine to be effective. The duration of protection of the vaccine is around 6 months according to the Ministry of Health.

How much does the flu vaccine cost?

We must distinguish between the purchase price of the vaccine and that of the injection.

► The purchase of the flu vaccine is 100% covered for people considered at risk (people aged 65 and over, people with certain long-term conditions, pregnant women, etc.).

► For non-priority French people, the vaccine is chargeable. The price of the vaccine ranges between 6 and 10 euros in pharmacies.

► L’injection is covered at 70%as with any medical procedure. If a doctor does the injection, the price is included in the consultation price. If it is a pharmacist or nurse who carries it out, the price is 6.30 euros (in mainland France) with an additional charge of 1.89 euros (moderatory fee).

What are the names of flu vaccines?

• INFLUVAC TETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent surface antigen vaccine against seasonal influenza.
• FLUARIX TETRA® (from 6 months): inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine with quadrivalent fragmented virion against seasonal influenza.
• VAXIGRIPTETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent influenza vaccine (inactivated, fragmented virion).

The Directorate General of Health announced the withdrawal of the Efluelda® vaccine marketed by the Sanofi laboratory. It is replaced by the VaxigripTetra® vaccine.

Do you need a prescription to get the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is issued by prescription for people under 16 years of age eligible for vaccination. Pharmacists cannot vaccinate minors under 16 years of age.

► All people aged 16 and over for whom influenza vaccination is recommended can collect their vaccine directly from the pharmacy, upon simple presentation of their care voucher and their Vitale card, without a prescription. They can then be vaccinated by the professional of their choice: doctor, midwife, nurse and pharmacist (with the exception of people allergic to ovalbumin or to a previous vaccination who must be referred to their doctor or their midwife).

► For adults who are not a priority for vaccination, there is no need for a prescription to be vaccinated in a pharmacy.

What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

Influenza vaccination is well tolerated. It can cause some mild reactions such as inflammation at the injection site, pain, redness at the injection site. A febrile reaction accompanied by muscle or joint pain may also occur the next day, symptoms resolving within 2 days maximum. “The risk of serious side effects linked to the vaccine such as Guillain Barré syndrome remains much lower than the risk of serious complications, directly linked to the occurrence of the flu itself, including Guillain Barré syndrome” specifies the Ministry of Health. Still according to this source, allergic reactions are very rare (1 case in 450,000 vaccinated).

What are the contraindications for the flu vaccine?

The vaccine should not be used if you are allergic to the active substances, any of the other components of the vaccine, or trace residues, such as eggs or chicken protein. Vaccination should be postponed in case of acute illness with fever. You must then refer to the instructions for each vaccine to find out all the contraindications:

Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

When to get your flu vaccine booster?

It is necessary to repeat the vaccine every year due to the modification of the virus from one year to the next. In fact, this modification results in a different composition of the vaccine. People who received a free flu vaccine the previous year can have the vaccine delivered by the pharmacy and go to a nurse without needing to consult their doctor. To find a nurse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Thanks to Professor Vincent Dubée, doctor specializing in infectious and tropical diseases at Angers University Hospital.