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Update
As millions of French people will receive a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, the flu vaccination season begins. A special situation that raises questions.
The flu vaccine doses are ready and will be authorized for use on Friday, October 22. The vaccine dose may also cross the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. “We will be able to do both vaccines on the same day, which will simplify the third booster against Covid-19. It will suffice to do one in each arm”, explains Florence Savoyaud, pharmacist in Paris. Vaccination in two different arms results in two different immune responses.
This year, the flu shot is being taken earlier. The reason is that the target audience for the flu vaccine is also the target audience for the third COVID-19 booster dose: people over 65, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions. In nursing homes, it is possible to be vaccinated since Tuesday, October 19 in order to protect against the many risks. “We already have the bronchiolitis virus, we still have the Covid virus and we are going to have the influenza virus circulating”, notes Professor Jérôme Salomon, Director General of Health.