The flu epidemic is intensifying in most of France, with the emergency ‘plan blanc’ protocol now enacted in 87 hospitals, and vulnerable people especially advised to get a vaccination as soon as possible.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed to CNews-Europe 1 today (January 10) the ‘plan blanc’ protocol had been enacted in under-pressure hospitals since Thursday, January 9, due to a sharp increase in patient admissions linked to flu.
Read more: MAP: 35 French hospitals activate a ‘white plan’ due to flu cases - what it means
The winter flu epidemic, which usually lasts around 10-12 weeks, worsened at the start of this month, leading to an “exceptionally high” level of hospital admissions compared to previous seasons, said health authority Santé publique France (SPF). Deaths among the over-65s have also risen.
All regions in mainland France are now experiencing an epidemic.
Read also: Flu intensifies in France, Covid-19 stable: the latest official figures
Is it too late to get a flu vaccination in France?
No, vaccination is still available and encouraged. Ms Vautrin urged all “those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so”, particularly those from vulnerable groups.
This includes people aged 65 and over, people who are immunocompromised, infants aged over six months with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women, and residents and care workers in medical-social establishments such as care homes.
“When we look at A&E attendances and, in particular, in cases of complications, more than 70% are in people who have not been vaccinated and who are eligible [for vaccination],” said Ms Vautrin.
Despite vaccination being free for those in vulnerable groups, figures show that there has been a slight drop (by 2.3% drop compared to last year) in the number of people getting vaccinated against flu this year.
This has been partly attributed to the fact that the autumn season was fairly mild, which historically has led to a certain “vaccination apathy”, said Professor Charles Cazanave, professor of infectious diseases at Bordeaux University Hospital, to Sud Ouest.
There are three types of flu viruses circulating this year, he said. However the type A virus is dominant and this is the main virus targeted by the vaccine.
Prof Cazanave said that there is still ample time for people to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the epidemic.
“It takes around 10 days for the vaccine to play its protective role, so there is still time. Winter is not over yet. We have seen a bit of a thaw, but with the cold cases of infection are likely to pick up again,” he said.
He also advised that people practice good hygiene and barrier measures, such as regular and thorough hand washing, using hand sanitiser gel, regularly airing out the home, wearing masks and avoiding close contact with vulnerable or symptomatic people.
How can I get a flu vaccination in France?
The process differs slightly depending on your level of risk and/or work.
If you are invited to receive a flu vaccination, you should have received a letter in September or at the beginning of this month, containing a bon de vaccination (vaccination voucher). This reflects that your injection is covered by Assurance maladie and that you do not have to pay for it.
If you have already used a bon de vaccination before, you need only go to your pharmacist, present your voucher and ask for the vaccine. You can then arrange to receive the vaccination from a doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist (if applicable), and the injection will be free.
If this is the first time you have been sent a bon de vaccination, you should consult your doctor, who will prescribe you the vaccine if they judge it necessary. You will then be able to obtain the vaccination free of charge from the pharmacy.
If you are vulnerable but have not received a voucher, you can ask your doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist to give you one. Please note that pharmacists and nurses can only do this for adults.
Side effects such as swelling around the site of the injection, tiredness, headaches and a slight fever are common, but if you experience anything out of the ordinary, you can inform the French health ministry through this report form.
If you experience very severe symptoms, or symptoms that show no sign of abating after 48 hours, you should contact your doctor.
Read also: France's joint flu and Covid vaccination campaign: What you need to know
How much does the vaccine cost?
There are two separate costs: the price of the vaccine itself, and the cost of having the injection.
Reimbursed at 100% for those considered to be at risk (see above)
Cost of the vaccine itself is €6-10 at pharmacies
Cost of having the injection is reimbursed by 70%
If a doctor gives the injection, the charge is included in the consultation fee. If carried out by a pharmacist or nurse, the price is €6.30 (in mainland France), with €1.89 left to pay (€4.41 being reimbursable).
Who can be vaccinated at a pharmacy?
Those who can be vaccinated a pharmacy include:
Adults considered to be vulnerable, with the exception of people with a history of severe allergic reaction to ovalbumin or to a previous vaccination
Adults who are not considered to be vulnerable
Minors aged 16 and over, who do not have certain allergies, but who are at higher risk of severe illness
Pharmacists cannot give the flu vaccine to minors under the age of 16.
Read also: French pharmacies can prescribe and give vaccines: we explain which
Vaccine shortages
Yet, despite continued advice to the public to get vaccinated, some pharmacies have said they are experiencing a shortage in vaccines, reports BFMTV.
“When the epidemic broke out, people got scared and went to get vaccinated,” said Philippe Besset, a dispensing pharmacist and president of the Fédération des pharmaciens d'officine, to BFMTV.
Every year, pharmacies order flu vaccines based on the vaccination rates and vaccine orders from the year before. This means that if there is a severe epidemic in the coming season, and/or particularly high demand in some areas, pharmacies can experience shortages.
“Some years we throw away flu vaccines, and some years we do not have enough,” said Mr Besset.
In April 2024, the Direction générale de la santé (DGS) warned that pharmacies were not ordering enough vaccines, judging the volume of orders as “insufficient, 10% below the target”.
One pharmacist in Marseille, Frédéric Affriat, said: “We ran out on January 9. We cannot order any more vaccines, nor can we get any from the wholesaler.”
“I can't order any more from the wholesalers because they are out of stock, so I can't meet my patients’ needs,” said another Marseille pharmacist, Laurine Lecaillet.
The Fédération des pharmaciens d'officine said that there are still 600,000 doses available nationwide.
“If your pharmacist cannot find a dose for you, they will refer you to a colleague,” said Mr Besset.
Not everywhere is experiencing shortages. While Alpes-Maritimes has seen tensions, other regions, such as Côte-d'Or, are finding themselves with an excess of doses.
Why are vaccination rates generally low in France?
In general, vaccination rates are low in France, with the country classed 25th out of 41 in the OECD countries (in 2022) for vaccination among the over-65s.
Health Ministry figures show that for the 2023-24 flu season, only 47.1% of at-risk people had been vaccinated, despite the World Health Organisation recommending a level of 75% among this population.
This may be due to several reasons, including false beliefs and myths circulating about flu and the effectiveness of the vaccines, suggests FranceInfo.
It said that some of the main misconceptions and myths are:
“Flu is not a serious illness.” This is not true; it can be brutal, and last up to two weeks or more, leaving long-lasting effects for some people. Around 9,000 people in France die every year due to direct or indirect complications from flu (along with 650,000 people worldwide).
“The vaccine does not stop you from getting flu.” While it is true that the vaccine does not target every strain of flu in circulation, it still offers more protection than nothing, with an effectiveness rate of 50-60%, said Dr Anne Goffard, virologist at Lille CHU, to FranceInfo. Vaccines prevent the death of an estimated 2,000 people in France per winter, states this vaccine specialist website.
“The vaccine makes you ill.” This is not true, as the vaccine only injects a very small amount of an inactive form of the virus. Some people may feel slightly ill in the days after the vaccination due to their immune response, but these symptoms are usually mild and disappear quickly.
“The vaccine is only for older people.” This is not true, as many people are considered to be vulnerable, not only the over-65s. This includes people with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women, and children aged 2 to 17.
“Only vulnerable people can get a vaccine.” This is not true. While people in this group can get a reimbursed vaccine, others can get the same if they are prescribed it by a doctor. Everyone else can pay for their own vaccine at a pharmacy, even if they have no pre-existing conditions.
“Pregnant women should not get a vaccine.” This is not true. In fact, pregnant women are encouraged to protect themselves and their unborn baby by getting a vaccine, as they are at higher risk of contracting a severe form of the virus if they do get it. Having a high fever can even be dangerous for the baby. Pregnant women are advised to be vaccinated at any point during their pregnancy. The vaccination also protects their baby for three months after birth via breast milk.
“People in good health do not need to get a vaccine.” While vaccination is particularly encouraged for vulnerable groups, healthy people can still benefit from it, as some strains of the virus are more dangerous for young people than others. “‘Every year, 10 to 20% of healthy patients who are, on the face of it, at no risk end up in intensive care. We can't predict it, and we can't explain it,” said Dr Goffard.
“You have to get vaccinated before the epidemic begins.” Doctors do advise people to get vaccinated as early as possible, and the national vaccination campaign tends to begin in October. The vaccine protects recipients for nine to 12 months. However, those who have not been vaccinated are still recommended to get it, even in January, as it still offers ample protection as the epidemic spreads, said Dr Goffard.
