FLU VACCINE 2022. The new flu vaccination campaign will start on October 18, first for the most vulnerable people. When to do it? Free for whom? In pharmacy? Practical guide to vaccination.

[Updated October 13, 2022 at 6:02 p.m.] The flu vaccine was developed in the 1930s by the American biologist Jonas Salk . Every year in France, the vaccination campaign is launched in the fall. This year, it will start on October 18 2022 (date of availability of the vaccine in pharmacies) for the most vulnerable, including pregnant women. The co-vaccination against Covid-19 and against influenza is recommended to them by the High Authority for Health, especially since epidemiologists fear a serious outbreak this year after 2 years of Covid and barrier measures (mask, lockdown...). When to get your vaccine ? How long does it protect? What efficiency ? What is their  composition ? When to get vaccinated? What is the repayment vaccine? For whom is it free? Can we do it in all pharmacies ? Is a prescription needed?

When is the 2022 flu vaccine coming?

The 2022-2023 flu vaccination campaign will begin on October 18 in pharmacies in mainland France, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana (in Mayotte it started on September 6). It will be reserved for people at risk of severe forms of influenza until November 15. .

What are the names of the flu vaccines?

• INFLUVAC TETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent surface antigen vaccine against seasonal influenza.
• FLUARIXTETRA®: quadrivalent split-virion quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine against seasonal influenza.
• VAXIGRIPTETRA® (from 6 months): quadrivalent (inactivated, split-virion) influenza vaccine.
• EFLUELDA® : high-dose quadrivalent split-virion inactivated influenza vaccine against seasonal influenza.

When to get the flu shot?

Fragile people, at risk of a serious form of influenza, must be vaccinated at the start of the campaign (October 18, 2022) . It takes about fifteen days to be protected. As a reminder, the flu epidemic usually occurs between the months of November and April, with a start most often at the end of December - beginning of January .

Where to get the flu shot?

Adults can be vaccinated by doctors, nurses, midwives (for pregnant women and those around infants at risk) and pharmacists volunteers. Vaccination of minors can be carried out by a doctor, a midwife and a nurse (on medical prescription). It cannot be performed by a pharmacist. People with a history of allergic reaction severe to ovalbumin or to a previous vaccination cannot be vaccinated directly without a medical prescription from a nurse or pharmacist.

Who can get vaccinated at the pharmacy?

'Vaccination is one of the optional missions that can be exercised by community pharmacists throughout the territory since March 1, 2019', reminds the National Order of Pharmacists . The community pharmacist can vaccinate adults targeted by vaccination recommendations except for people with a history of severe allergic reaction to ovalbumin or previous vaccination and people not targeted by the vaccination recommendations . It can also vaccinate minors 16 years and older who do not have certain allergies and for whom this vaccination is recommended. If you are of legal age and have received a health insurance voucher , you can obtain the vaccine directly from the pharmacy on simple presentation of the voucher and get vaccinated by the pharmacist if it is voluntary . A prescription is not necessary . In the event that a eligible person did not receive or misplaced the invitation mail Health Insurance, his doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist can issue him a form of coverage, after ensuring his eligibility. Vaccination in pharmacies for priority groups is fully covered.

How do I get a voucher?

Patients eligible for flu vaccination receive a health insurance vaccine voucher except for pregnant women, relatives of infants at risk of severe flu or immunocompromised people and obese people. They can collect their vaccine directly from the pharmacy , on simple presentation of their voucher. A prescription is not necessary . They can then get vaccinated free of charge by the professional of their choice . In the event that a eligible person did not receive or misplaced the invitation mail Health Insurance, his doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist can issue him a form of coverage, after ensuring his eligibility.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

'The vaccine ensures a 30-60% protection , the efficiency rate varies from year to year', underlines the infectiologist. A fortnight is necessary for the protection of the vaccine to be effective. According to Ministry of Health , flu vaccination would avert more than 2,000 deaths on average each year. 'The efficacy of the vaccine (...) was estimated at 40% for 2019-2020 in patients in the community presenting risk factors targeted by the vaccination recommendations'. On average, Public Health France estimates that 10,000 deaths are attributable to the flu each year in France. More than 90% of these deaths occur in people aged 65 and over.

How long do flu shots protect?

The duration of protection of the vaccine is about 6 months , indicates the Ministry of Health . 'This average estimate depends on many factors such as age, the existence of pathologies, history of influenza or even the type of vaccine.'

Up to what age is the vaccine free?

The vaccine is free (no advance fee because 100% covered by health insurance) only for people at risk of severe forms of influenza . It pays for othersIt's not a matter of age:

• The people over 65.
• The pregnant women regardless of the trimester of pregnancy.
• The children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years and having a medical condition that requires prolonged treatment due to a chronic pathology.
• The family circle of infants under 6 months of age with risk factors for influenza such as premature babies, especially those with sequelae such as bronchodysplasia and children with congenital heart disease, congenital immune deficiency, pulmonary, neurological or neuromuscular disease or a long-term condition.
• Obese people with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 40 kg/m² and people staying in a follow-up care establishment as well as in a medico-social accommodation establishment, regardless of their age. On the other hand, liberal health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, midwives... who are in regular and prolonged contact with people at high risk of influenza.
• People and children from 6 months, affected by certain chronic diseases.

→ Eligible patients (with the exception of pregnant women, relatives of infants at risk of serious flu or immunocompromised people and obese people) receive their voucher for the receipt of the vaccine. of this coupon, and get vaccinated by the professional of your choice. Persons under the age of 18 must have a medical prescription prior to vaccination.

→ If you are eligible but could not be identified and invited by the Health Insurance, talk to your doctor, your midwife or your pharmacist, who will be able to issue you a voucher allowing you to obtain the vaccine free of charge. In contrast, the vaccine is not covered by health insurance for other insured persons .

What are the contraindications for the flu vaccine?

The vaccine should not be used in case of allergy to active substances, to any of the other components of the vaccine, or to trace residues, such as egg or chicken protein. The vaccination should be postponed in case of acute illness with fever . You must then refer to the instructions for each vaccine to find out all the contraindications:

• Influvac vaccine contraindications
• Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine contraindications

Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

What is the price of the flu vaccine?

It is necessary to distinguish the price of the purchase of the vaccine against the flu from that of the injection.

→ L' vaccine purchase against the flu is 100% covered for people considered at risk and therefore a priority (people aged 65 and over, people with certain long-term conditions, pregnant women, etc.).

→ For non-priority French people, the vaccine is chargeable . The price of the vaccine fluctuates between 6 and 10 euros in pharmacy.

→ L' injection is covered at 70% , as with any medical procedure. If a doctor does the injection, the price is included in the consultation price. If a pharmacist or nurse performs it, the price is 6.30 euros (in mainland France) with a remaining charge of 1.89 euros (moderator ticket).

Is the flu vaccine reimbursed?

For the people targeted by vaccination recommendations , the vaccine is 100% supported by health insurance. In practice, it is dispensed free of charge in pharmacies on presentation of the voucher. For the people not targeted by vaccination recommendations, the purchase can be made directly in the pharmacy without a prescription. It will not be refunded.

According to' Health Insurance , l injection is reimbursed:

• 70% if the doctor or midwife vaccinates you during a consultation;
• 70% if the pharmacist vaccinates eligible people against seasonal flu
• 60% if you are vaccinated by a nurse, on medical prescription.

Who are the priority people for flu vaccination?

From October 18 to November 15, 2022, flu vaccination will be reserved

• people aged 65 and over;
• people under the age of 65 with certain chronic conditions;
• pregnant women ;
• people suffering from obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m ^two ) ;
• those around infants under 6 months at risk (who cannot be vaccinated) and immunocompromised people;
• health professionals and professionals in medico-social establishments in contact with patients at risk;
• home help for vulnerable individual employers;
• professionals exposed to swine and avian influenza viruses. They are targeted for the first time as part of the 2022-2023 campaign.

Are pregnant women a priority?

The High Council of Public Health recommends since 2012 flu vaccination for pregnant women regardless of the trimester of pregnancy. For them, vaccination is free . Pregnant women do not always receive their voucher. In this case, they must consult a doctor, midwife, nurse or pharmacist who can, via the website Amelipro issue a blank voucher allowing them to withdraw the vaccine free of charge from pharmacies, without a prescription.

Do I need a prescription to get the flu shot?

The delivery of the flu vaccine is done on prescription for minors (under 18).

→ If you are of legal age and have received a health insurance voucher , you can obtain the vaccine directly from the pharmacy on simple presentation of the voucher without prescription.

→ If you are a minor and you have received a registered health insurance voucher , you must go to your doctor with this voucher to receive a prescription prescription for the vaccine to be collected from the pharmacy.

→ If you are of legal age and you are not a priority for vaccination, vaccination can be done without a prescription in a pharmacy.

→ If you are of legal age and have not received a health insurance voucher but are eligible for free vaccine (pregnant women, obese people , family circle of infants at risk of severe influenza or immunocompromised people in particular), doctors, midwives, nurses and pharmacists have on Amelipro a blank receipt form allowing them to be prescribed the vaccine. Pharmacists and nurses can only issue this voucher for adults eligible for vaccination.

When should you get your flu vaccine reminders?

It is necessary that re-vaccinate every year due to the virus change from year to year. Indeed, this modification leads to a different composition of the vaccine. People who received a free flu vaccine the previous year can have the vaccine delivered by the pharmacy and go to a nurse without having to consult their doctor. To find a nurse, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the composition of influenza vaccines for 2022-2023?

The flu shot contains fragments of the Influenza virus (the virus responsible for the flu). Pour l'hiver 2022-2023, the composition of influenza vaccines was published by the WHO in February 2022. Experts relied on analysis of influenza activity from September 2021 to January 2022 and circulating viruses knowing that 'Influenza A has been predominant in most countries , while influenza B predominated in a few countries in the temperate zone of the hemisphere' WHO said. In France, it's the flu A(H1N1)pdm09 which has predominated during the last winter.

► WHO recommends that quadrivalent vaccines intended for use during the 2022-2023 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere contain the following viruses:

• Vaccines containing egg-propagated viruses: A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus; A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage); and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage).
• Vaccines containing cell culture-propagated or recombinant viruses: A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus; A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage); and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage).

► WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines intended for use during the 2022-2023 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere contain the following viruses

• Vaccines containing egg-propagated viruses: A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus; A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage).
• Vaccines containing cell culture-propagated or recombinant viruses: one virus type A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09; A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage).

Since flu viruses are constantly changing, they are not always the same from year to year. This is why it is advisable to get vaccinated every year .

Can you still catch the flu after the vaccine?

' The effectiveness of the influenza vaccine is not absolute because the strains of virus responsible for epidemics are not all present in the vaccine. Also, the vaccine is less effective in some people due to a weaker immune system. It is therefore possible to be sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated. explains the specialist. On the other hand, the vaccine, which is prepared from killed virus, cannot in any case cause influenza. A small feverish reaction accompanied by an influenza-like state can occur the following day, manifestations yielding in 2 days at most.

What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

Vaccination against influenza is well tolerated. It can cause some mild reactions such as inflammation at the injection site, pain , a redness at the sting. A reaction febrile accompanied by muscle or joint pain can also occur the next day, manifestations yielding in 2 days at most. 'The risk of occurrence of serious side effects related to the vaccine such as Guillain Barré syndrome remains much lower than the risk of serious complications, directly linked to the occurrence of the flu itself, including Guillain Barré syndrome' specify the Ministry of Health . Still according to this source , them allergic reactions are very rare (1 case out of 450,000 vaccinated).

Thank you to Pr Vincent Dubée, doctor specializing in infectious and tropical diseases at the CHU d'Angers.

Extension of vaccine skills against seasonal flu and against Covid-19. November 10, 2021. Cespharm.

Public Drug Database, ANSM.

Flu Vaccination 2021-2022 Just because we don't talk about it anymore doesn't mean the flu is gone. Press information Health Insurance, Ministry of Health, ANSM, Public Health France and MSA.

Recommended composition of influenza vaccines for the 2021-2022 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere. WHO. March 19, 2021

Vaccination calendar 2021. Ministry of Health.

Opinion No. 2020.0034/AC/SEESP of 20 May 2020 from the college of the Haute Autorité de santé relating to the maintenance of the vaccination campaign against seasonal influenza 2020/2021 in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic in France, HAS , May 20, 2020.

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Source journaldesfemmes.fr