How do I ask for free French flu voucher if I did not receive one?
The 2024/2025 vaccination season has begun
More than 17 million people are eligible to receive a free jab
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Reader Question: I am 75 and therefore in one of the more vulnerable groups who should receive a free flu vaccine, but did not receive a voucher in the post. What should I do?
The vaccine season for flu and Covid-19 booster shots opened on October 15 in France.
Covid jabs are once again free for all, however, only people belonging to certain high-risk categories receive a flu ‘voucher’ enabling them to get a free jab.
This includes over-65s, immunocompromised people, those who work with vulnerable groups, etc. In total, over 17 million people are eligible.
Read more: Covid and flu vaccination campaign starts France - who is invited?
To receive the voucher, you have to be subscribed to the French healthcare system (ie. with a French social security number and a carte Vitale).
If you are not part of the French healthcare system (for example because you are a second-home owner) and you belong to one of the vulnerable groups, you may instead be eligible for a free flu jab in the country where you have your main residency.
Ask for a voucher from healthcare provider
If you are part of the French healthcare system and did not receive a voucher, you can ask for one.
Some people in groups eligible for a free vaccine, such as pregnant women, obese people (with a BMI of 40 or more), or those with a new chronic illness, may not be known to Assurance Maladie, and consequently will not have received a voucher in the post.
Such people can make an appointment with a doctor (this can be combined with an appointment for other issues, if relevant) who can prescribe a vaccination .
People from these groups can also receive a voucher for the vaccine from a pharmacist, nurse - or if pregnant - a midwife, providing they have proof of their condition. The same professionals, and GPs, can perform the vaccination.
In the case of over 65s, Assurance Maladie should be aware of your status already, but if an error has been made, you can also go to a healthcare professional listed above to obtain a free flu voucher.
You may wish to make your caisse primaire d'assurance maladie (Cpam) aware of the mistake to prevent it occurring in the future.
You can do this via a message in the Espace d'échange section of your online Ameli account.
Read more: What essential health screenings are available for free in France?
