The flu epidemic has officially begun in France.

The seasonal flu epidemic has started in several regions of metropolitan France – Île-de-France, Normandy and Nouvelle-Aquitaine – and the rest of the country is expected to follow soon, according to a report published Wednesday by the public health agency.

Last week, ending on Sunday, November 30, was marked by a "clear increase in influenza indicators in all age groups," Public Health France summarized in its weekly update on the main autumn-winter epidemics.

The end of November saw "Île-de-France, Normandy, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine enter the epidemic phase," the agency stated. "All other metropolitan regions are in the pre-epidemic phase, except for Corsica."

Overseas, Mayotte has been hit by the epidemic since the previous week.

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The seasonal flu epidemic was particularly severe last season with more than 17,000 deaths – compared to an average of around 10,000. It was also exceptionally marked among the youngest, sending many babies to the hospital.

Insufficient vaccination rates have contributed to this situation, although the poor effectiveness of the vaccine, particularly among the elderly, has also played a role.

This year, the vaccination campaign seems to be starting more effectively. The Ministry of Health has announced that it will release emergency stocks in response to concerns from pharmacists, some of whom say they are already running out of doses.

Vaccination is free for at-risk groups: everyone over 65, pregnant women, obese people, and many people with chronic illnesses. It is also free for other categories, such as most healthcare workers.

Alongside the flu, the bronchiolitis epidemic, which mainly affects babies, has spread to almost all of mainland France, with Corsica once again being the only region spared. Overseas, Guadeloupe and Martinique are now classified as being in a pre-epidemic situation.

The indicators are "close to those observed the previous season at the same time", says Public Health France, last season having been relatively mild in terms of bronchiolitis while several treatments are now available to immunize babies.

Regarding Covid, the circulation of the virus seems to remain limited, but the agency nevertheless reports a "slight upward trend" in wastewater.