During the Covid-19 epidemic, tensions over influenza vaccines (Illustration) -

Marco Ugarte / AP / SIPA

Lately, there have been many calls to be vaccinated against the flu, in particular by the Academy of Medicine, learned pediatric societies or members of the majority.

The latter thus hope to prevent flu patients from adding to those of Covid-19 and further clogging hospitals.

But too much demand could lead to stockouts, at the risk of not being able to vaccinate the populations most vulnerable to severe forms of influenza.

However, it is most of the time the same people who are particularly affected by the Covid-19.

While recalling the need for vaccination, the National Academy of Pharmacy warned Monday against "a psychosis which could, via too much demand, lead to ruptures".

Vaccines reserved for populations at risk

In a letter of August 20 addressed to the National Order of Pharmacists, the General Directorate of Health (DGS, depending on the ministry) asks them to reserve influenza vaccines only to the populations at risk targeted by the vaccine recommendations, at a minimum. until November 30.

"Pharmacies are invited to favor this public," had hammered the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, Thursday during his weekly press conference.

And also to evoke elements related to the calendar.

"Someone (...) in good health who would be vaccinated in October against the flu would not have proven protection against the virus he would contract in January", said the minister, without however specifying why this argument would also not apply to those at risk.

30% more vaccine doses from previous years

Nearly 16 million people at risk of contracting seasonal flu (over 65, people with certain illnesses, including asthma, diabetes, major obesity, pregnant women, etc.) are recipients of a care voucher vaccine, sent by health insurance.

In addition, 316,060 liberal health professionals are also beneficiaries.

"For the first time, in addition to orders from pharmacies, we have secured state orders and we have 30% more vaccine doses than in previous years", Olivier Véran said during a hearing. in the Senate on September 24.

As winter approaches, competition between countries for vaccines is likely to increase.

This prompted pharmaceutical companies to increase their production, such as Sanofi (+ 20%).

Asked by AFP, the DGS was not able to specify how many doses were available in France.

An order for American vaccines

In addition to the vaccines InfluvacTetra (Mylan laboratory) and VaxigripTetra (Sanofi Pasteur), available on the French market, the state has ordered American “high dose” vaccines, Fluzone High Dose, the Ministry of Health said.

The import authorization depends on the ANSM drug agency.

At the end of July, the High Authority for Health (HAS) had recommended integrating Sanofi's Fluzone into the vaccination strategy, intended "for people aged 65 and over and especially those most at risk, in the event of supply tensions".

Risk of double infection

The seasonal flu affects 2 to 6 million French people every winter and causes a large number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

It is responsible for 8,000 to 14,500 deaths during the last three influenza seasons, the vast majority of which are in vulnerable people.

HAS has repeatedly reiterated “the importance of increasing vaccination coverage in target populations”.

In subjects at risk of severe form of influenza, it was 48% in 2019-2020, far from the target of 75%.

In addition, co-infections (catching the novel coronavirus and the flu at the same time) have been reported in several countries.

The risk of death more than doubled in people who had Covid-19 and also the flu, according to English data, according to the medical journal BMJ.

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