With the mild temperatures, the flu and Covid-19 viruses seem far away. However, doctors are currently reminding us of the importance of vaccination.
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The first sporadic cases of influenza have appeared on the territory, indicates Public Health France and the observations made in the southern hemisphere, in particular in Australia, suggest fairly severe flu symptoms this year. On the Covid-19 side, the number of contaminations is stable, but just over a thousand hospitalizations are recorded every day in France.
It is possible to be vaccinated the same day against Covid and flu for people at risk. With an injection in each arm, it does not change anything in terms of vaccine protection. Remember that the flu vaccine is reserved until November 15 for the priority public: mainly those over 60, pregnant women, and patients with certain chronic diseases.
In 2022, the epidemic started in March but the antibodies generated by the influenza vaccine last six to eight months. Nothing says that the scenario will be the same this year. During the three years preceding the Covid, the flu epidemics were triggered rather during the Christmas holidays or just after. In any event, “we lose less by getting vaccinated a little too early rather than a little too late” recalls Professor Jean-Daniel Lelièvre, head of the infectious diseases department at the Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil. He sees winter coming with a hospital system under strain, especially in terms of staff. the influenza epidemic, poorly anticipated, should not add additional destabilization, he said.
On the Covid front, for the moment the epidemic rather gives the impression of stabilizing without new worrying variant. 80% of the population is vaccinated with at least one dose and the concern is therefore mainly for the most vulnerable, whose vaccine protection decreases more quickly over time. Those over 60 account for the vast majority of hospitalizations at the moment. Many doctors are also worried about a somewhat rapid abandonment of barrier gestures, the wearing of masks in particular.