The flu epidemic is not over, but is hitting France less hard.

Last week, "flu indicators were still on the rise in mainland France, although the increase was less marked compared to the previous four weeks", indicates Public Health France.

The evolution of the epidemic varied according to the regions, rising in nine of them, but stable in four others.

However, the number of hospitalizations linked to the epidemic continued to rise (1,089, +17% over one week).

In addition, "the share of influenza-related deaths among all deaths from electronic certification was still on the rise" last week, "exceeding the level reached during the peak of the 2019-2020 influenza epidemic" , Observes the Health Agency in its weekly update published on Wednesday.

These deaths mainly concerned people aged 65 or over (83%).

However, a dozen deaths were recorded among people under 15 and nearly forty among people aged 15 to 64.

Late peak of the epidemic and less effective vaccine

Usually, the peak of this epidemic caused by respiratory influenza viruses is reached around February.

The late resumption of influenza this year may be linked to lower herd immunity to this epidemic.

In the winter of 2020-2021, the French were less infected than usual, because the anti-Covid containment measures blocked the circulation of many other viruses.

In addition, the intensification of recent weeks has most likely been favored by the easing of anti-Covid measures, in particular the lifting of the mandatory mask.

Just over half (about 51.4%) of people at risk, those over 65 and vulnerable people, have been vaccinated against the flu, according to estimates from Public Health France.

In addition, the 2021-2022 flu vaccine seems to be of low effectiveness against the A (H3N2) virus, which now largely dominates, according to preliminary data.

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