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French health experts have urged people in France to get the flu vaccine in the soon-to-open winter vaccination campaign, after revealing that last year鈥檚 flu epidemic was severe due to 鈥渓ow coverage鈥�.

Coverage of the flu vaccine among the target population was 鈥渙nly 54%鈥� last year, said Professor Didier Lepelletier, director general of health, to FranceInfo on Wednesday October 8.

He confirmed the opening of this year鈥檚 winter vaccination campaign, which will start this year on Tuesday, October 14.

鈥�14 million people have received a voucher inviting them to get vaccinated,鈥� he said. The Caisse nationale de l鈥橝ssurance Maladie (CNAM) is set to launch its communication campaign on October 19, followed by Sant茅 publique France (SPF) on October 26.

The communication campaigns will 鈥渇ocus on the importance of getting vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you鈥�, he said.

SPF people to "remember the importance of vaccination and protective measures鈥� and to 鈥渂uild confidence in the face of misinformation that undermines adherence to protective measures鈥�. 

鈥淭ogether, authorities, healthcare professionals and citizens must take action to reduce the impact of winter epidemics, protect our loved ones and get through the season with greater peace of mind,鈥� it said.

Severe winter of 2024-2025

It comes after SPF reported 17,600 deaths from flu last winter at a press conference this week. This is much higher than the average of 10,000 deaths per year caused by flu nationwide.

This figure is already relatively high; compare it to the influenza-related mortality of the UK, for example, which was some 7,800 for the 2024-2025 season (鈥渕uch higher than the roughly 3,600 seen in the 2023 to 2024 season, but lower than the estimated 15,900 seen in the 2022 to 2023 season鈥�, it reads).

This 鈥渉igh intensity鈥� was also due to the circulation of 鈥渢hree viruses in succession鈥� said Prof Lepelletier. He said that as well as the low coverage, the 鈥渧accine efficiency was moderate, at around 42%, considering the three viruses鈥�.

Flu season typically coincides with the spread of other winter respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis (which particularly affects infants), and Covid-19.

Last year was 鈥渕arked by a relatively early flu epidemic, which lasted longer than average and was significant in terms of its scale and severity for all age groups鈥�, . 

鈥淸There were] nearly 3 million consultations in towns and cities, 30,000 hospitalisations and an excess mortality of more than 17,000 deaths from all causes combined,鈥� it said.

SPF also warned that the spread of Covid-19 has intensified since the end of September, and reassured people that flu and Covid-19 vaccinations can start to provide protection against severe forms of the illnesses within days of the injection.

How can I get vaccinated in France? 

Similarly to recent vaccination campaigns, both Covid-19 and flu injections can be given simultaneously to prevent the need to make two appointments, with one in each arm. 

Otherwise, patients can opt to receive just one.

The vaccines can be given by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and midwives, based on whether you have a voucher or prescription for the vaccine.

You can read more about who can receive a vaccination voucher, who is considered to be most at-risk, and how to request a voucher if necessary, in our article here.