Faced with the flu, health authorities call for “great vigilance” and vaccination

Faced with the "intense" circulation of influenza and its impact on hospitals, the Ministry of Health called on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for "great vigilance" For “protect the most vulnerable”, ensuring that there will be enough doses to vaccinate until the end of January. “Seasonal flu is circulating intensely in the territory”, where the epidemic affects the whole of mainland France, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and causes activity in mainland France "high in hospital, and this in all age groups, indicating significant severity", recalls the General Directorate of Health (DGS) in a press release. "This situation results in a high demand on the health system. To date, around a hundred white plans have been activated across the country.", she adds.

Vaccine supply tensions…

Stressing that serious cases of influenza in intensive care "concern approximately 80% unvaccinated people", the ministry "calls for continued increased mobilization of citizens and health professionals to vaccinate the most vulnerable people", particularly those aged 65 and over, and those with comorbidities. Vaccination is also recommended for those around them, and for professionals in the medical and social sectors.

For “vaccinate everyone who wants it until the end of the campaign”, end of January, “Doses are still available in pharmacies throughout the country”, assures the DGS. And “additional doses could be made available to the French market if necessary, thanks to the mobilization of players in the sector”, she continues. This clarification comes after reports of vaccine supply tensions in certain pharmacies.

…but solidarity between pharmacies

Philippe Besset, president of the FSPF pharmacists' union, told AFP on Monday that 30% of pharmacies no longer had doses of the flu vaccine but said they were "help each other out" while waiting to be able to order others, via an extension of doses from the manufacturer Sanofi. In addition to vaccination, barrier gestures against respiratory infections "must be adopted by all", the ministry insisted on Tuesday.

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First recommendation, tougher than previous official communications: "Wear a mask systematically when you have symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat), but also on public transport, other busy places and healthcare facilities, if you are at risk of developing a serious form or in the presence of vulnerable people, whether you have symptoms or not".