When, names, price, free for whom?

Each year in France, 10,000 people die from the influenza virus. Vaccination would avoid more than 2,000 deaths according to the Ministry of Health.

When to be vaccinated against flu?

Fragile people, therefore at risk of serious influenza form, must be vaccinated From the start of the campaign therefore in mid-October knowing that it takes a fortnight to be protected. As a reminder, the flu epidemic generally occurs between November and April, with a start -up most often at the end of December – early January.

What are the names of influenza vaccines this year?

The vaccines sold from October 2025 against the flu containing viruses A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B/Victoria.

• Flcelvax Trivalent® (from 6 months)
• Influenced Trivalent® (from 6 months)
• Vaxigrip Trivalent® (from 6 months)

Who should be vaccinated as a priority?

People at risk of serious complications:

• 65 years and over,
• People with chronic disease (cardiovascular, pulmonary, diabetes, etc.),
• immunocompromised people,
• people in severe obesity and pregnant women
• the entourage of these vulnerable people, including professionals from the medical and social sectors

Apart from these people, all French people who wish can be vaccinated against flu. And since 2023, vaccination is also open to children from 2 years old.

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 an earlier vaccination
• People not targeted by vaccination recommendations.
• Minors 16 and over do not present certain allergies and for which this vaccination is recommended.
• Pharmacists cannot vaccinate minors under the age of 16.

If you have received a health insurance management voucher, you can get the vaccine directly in pharmacy upon presentation of this good and have you vaccinated by the pharmacist if it is voluntary. A prescription is not necessary. In the event that an eligible person has not received or lost the invitation mail of health insurance, his doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist can issue him a care print, after having assured himself of his eligibility. Vaccination in pharmacies for priority audiences is fully managed.

Free vaccination only for people at risk

The vaccine is free (without advance because 100% covered for health insurance) only for people at risk of serious influenza forms. In practice, it is exempt free of charge in pharmacy on presentation of the care voucher received at home (sent by health insurance). For people not targeted by vaccination recommendations, the purchase can be made directly in pharmacy without prescription but it is not reimbursed. According to theHealth insurancethe injection of the vaccine is reimbursed:

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

An effective vaccine of 30 to 60% for 6 months

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

What is the price of the flu vaccine?

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

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

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

► L’injection is 70% coveredas with any medical procedure. If it is a doctor who injection, the price is included in that of the consultation. If it is a pharmacist or a nursing (era) who realizes it,, The price is 6.30 euros (in metropolitan France) with a remains of 1.89 euros (moderator ticket).

Do you need a prescription to be vaccinated against flu?

The issuance of the flu vaccine is prescribed for people eligible for vaccination under the age of 16. Pharmacists cannot vaccinate minors under the age of 16.

► All people aged 16 and over for which antigrippal vaccination is recommended can directly withdraw their vaccine from the pharmacy, on a simple presentation of their care voucher and their vital card, without prescription. They can then be vaccinated by the professional of their choice: doctor, midwife, nurse (e) and pharmacist (with the exception of allergic people at the ovalbumin or an earlier vaccination which must be oriented towards their doctor or their midwife).

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

What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

Vaccination against flu is well tolerated. It can cause some not very severe reactions such as inflammation in the injection site, pain, redness at the bite. A feverish reaction accompanied by muscle or joint pain can also occur the next day, manifestations yielding in 2 days at most. “The risk of the occurrence 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, including Guillain Barré syndrome” specifies the Ministry of Health. Still according to this source, allergic reactions are very rare (1 case out of 450,000 vaccinated).

What are the contraindications of the flu vaccine?

The vaccine should not be used in the event of an allergy to active substances, to one of the other components of the vaccine, or to residues in the state of traces, such as eggs or chicken proteins. Vaccination should be deferred in case of acute disease with fever. It is then necessary to refer to the notices of each vaccine to know all the contraindications. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

When to make your influenza vaccine reminders?

It is necessary to Remove the vaccine each year due to the modification of the virus from one year to the next. Indeed, this modification leads to a different composition of the vaccine. People who have received a free anti -flu vaccine the previous year can be given the vaccine by the pharmacy and go to a nurse without having to consult their doctor. To find a nurse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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