Santé publique France monitors epidemiological trends related to COVID-19 and promotes vaccination and other preventive measures against the disease as part of an integrated approach to acute respiratory infections (ARI), including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV infections.

The circulation of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, particularly during the winter season, can place a strain on the healthcare system, necessitating comprehensive monitoring of the epidemiological situation.

In this context, Santé publique France’s mission is structured around three main pillars:

• monitoring the epidemiological trends of COVID-19 and measuring its impact on public health;

• monitoring vaccination coverage levels;

• promoting preventive measures and treatments against COVID-19, particularly during epidemic periods.

COVID-19 Surveillance

Santé publique France’s epidemiological surveillance relies on a multi-source system that has enabled the rapid generation of numerous indicators to track epidemic waves from the moment they emerge.

Monitoring of viral circulation is part of a comprehensive surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), which includes:

• the SurSaUD® syndromic surveillance system, comprising indicators of utilization of SOS Médecins for outpatient care, hospital emergency departments (OSCOUR® network), COVID-19 intensive care unit admissions, and mortality (all-cause deaths from INSEE and data from the CepiDC electronic certification system);

• data on tests performed by public and private clinical laboratories.

This is supplemented by specific surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants:

• genomic surveillance conducted by the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infections and the EMERGEN consortium through weekly Flash surveys, which track changes in the proportion of circulating variants, detect the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, and assess those that may have an impact on public health;

• the SUM’EAU system to detect the presence (or absence) of the virus in wastewater and track trends in COVID-19 virus detection within a given region.

All indicators produced to track the evolution of COVID-19 are available in:

• the weekly national and regional epidemiological bulletins during the surveillance period;

• the weekly SurSaUD syndromic surveillance bulletins;

• risk analyses for variants;

• the Géodes mapping observatory.

Mandatory reporting

Since June 30, 2023, COVID-19 has been added to the list of notifiable diseases. However, there is no specific Cerfa form, as data is automatically transmitted electronically from laboratories.

COVID-19 vaccination

In accordance with its mandate, Santé publique France contributes to the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in several ways:

• contributing to the development and adaptation of vaccination strategies;

• assessing vaccination uptake, vaccination coverage, efficacy, and the impact of vaccination;

• vaccine supply, from procurement to distribution of vaccine doses, within the framework of a logistics plan established with the Ministry of Health and in support of the overall vaccination strategy established by the Government (as long as COVID-19 vaccines are not governed by general law);

• monitoring of vaccination uptake among the population and providing information on vaccination.

Preventive Measures Against COVID-19

Santé publique France informs the public about appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. In this context, our efforts include:

• developing messages and providing prevention tools for healthcare professionals, the general public, and vulnerable individuals—some of which are translated into multiple languages;

• promoting vaccination (through media campaigns, for example) and preventive measures against COVID-19, particularly during an epidemic.

The information website vaccination-info-service.fr provides reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions that the public and healthcare professionals may have. A section dedicated to COVID-19 vaccination is available in two distinct areas: one for the general public and the other for healthcare professionals to better support them in their practice.

• Information for the general public

• Information for healthcare professionals

Documenting the burden of the disease: the case of Long COVID

To estimate the prevalence and burden of this condition, Santé publique France conducted population-based studies and surveys of healthcare professionals. According to a population survey, 2 million people had a post-COVID-19 condition by the end of 2022.

Learn more:

• Prevalence of Long COVID in the general adult population according to different definitions and based on infection and sociodemographic characteristics. A national random sample survey conducted in the fall of 2022. [Expert interview]

• Survey "Long COVID - Post-COVID-19 Condition, Metropolitan France," September–November 2022, preliminary results

• Post-COVID-19 condition (also known as Long COVID) in France. Update as of July 21, 2022.