the essential While the flu epidemic has intensified across the country since mid-January, the health authorities have decided to extend the vaccination campaign until the end of February. Even as the end of the winter season approaches, getting vaccinated against the virus, even now, “remains essential.”
After the increase in contamination in Italy and Spain, the flu epidemic is now intensifying throughout the country. This is why the health authorities announced the extension of the vaccination campaign until the end of February. This decision comes because the flu virus is active from November to April and the epidemic peak may not yet have been reached.
Since the opening of the vaccination campaign in October, health authorities have recorded 288 cases, including 31 leading to death. According to unconsolidated data from the health agency, half of the victims were aged under 65.
Low vaccination coverage
This season, only 38% of people at risk are vaccinated, indicates Santé Publique France in a report. “All indicators were up sharply in community medicine and hospitals in all age groups” since mid-January.
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Although each flu epidemic is different, they represent “on average 1 million consultations in community medicine, more than 20,000 hospitalizations and around 9,000 deaths, all concentrated over around ten weeks.” The people most at risk – pregnant women, caregivers, immunocompromised people and seniors over 65 – are most likely to develop a serious form requiring hospitalization. “In this context, getting vaccinated against the flu remains essential,” recalls the national health agency.
Effective against active strain
Generally, the vaccine effectiveness rate is between 40 and 60% and depends on the form of virus in circulation. This year according to the first available trends, it is the A(H1N1) subtype which is in the majority. It is responsible for 70% of infections. The A(H3N2) subtype has also been identified in certain patients, but in a lesser proportion.
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The composition of “influenza vaccines in the northern hemisphere is therefore decided by WHO experts between the months of February and March based on the data available on the viruses of the winter which is ending and on those beginning to circulate in the southern hemisphere” explains Professor Bruno Lina, director of the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infection Viruses in Lyon to our colleagues at Point. The formulation of the available vaccines integrates the antigenic profile of the viruses active this season.
Each year in France, an average of 2,000 lives are saved among people over 65 thanks to vaccination.
