Seasonal flu, Covid vaccine drive kicks off across France
The vaccination campaign against seasonal flu – possibly combined with a booster against Covid – got underway in France this Tuesday, with the French health authorities hoping to encourage people to take up the double vaccination – especially those at risk.
According to Sarah Sauneron, Deputy Director-General of Health, one of the major challenges is to "anchor the dual influenza-Covid vaccination as double protection for priority groups".
Doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists are authorised give the two injections, which can be given back-to-back, although this is not compulsory.
More than 17.2 million French people are being urged to be vaccinated against the two viruses, which can in some cases have fatal consequences.
The priority target groups at risk of developing serious forms of the disease are the over-65s, residents of nursing homes, people of all ages suffering from certain chronic illnesses and pregnant women.
While the seasonal return of flu is well known, Covid-19 – which comes in several epidemic waves each year – has added a health risk to the autumn and winter seasons, when other respiratory viruses are also circulating, such as bronchiolitis.
(With newswires)
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