The Burden and Impact of Seasonal Influenza in Metropolitan France: A Review of Epidemics from 2011–2012 to 2021–2022
As part of a study on the benefits of expanding seasonal flu vaccination to children without comorbidities, Santé publique France provided the HAS with an analysis of flu surveillance data from mainland France during the 2011–2012 to 2021–2022 flu seasons (i.e., 10 influenza epidemics).
Flu
thematic dossier
The flu is a contagious viral respiratory infection that causes seasonal outbreaks every winter. The flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself.
Every flu outbreak is different
From one year to the next, flu outbreaks in the country vary significantly, particularly due to the diversity of influenza viruses, which do not circulate in the same way every winter season and do not have the same impact in terms of the populations affected and the severity of the illness.
Flu outbreaks generally occur between December and March and result in an average of 1 million visits to private practices, more than 20,000 hospitalizations, and approximately 9,000 deaths, all concentrated over a period of about ten weeks. The burden of seasonal flu is therefore considerable on the healthcare system but also on society in general (absenteeism, morbidity and mortality).
The impact of the flu varies by age
Children under 15 years of age, and particularly those aged 2 to 5, are overrepresented among flu cases seen in private practice and emergency departments. This reflects the fact that school-aged children are the primary drivers of flu transmission in the population. In contrast, adults aged 65 and older and children under 2 are more likely to experience forms of influenza requiring hospitalization (including intensive care), and those aged 65 and older are significantly overrepresented among deaths attributable to influenza. Thus, the most severe forms of influenza primarily affect the extreme ages of life.
The burden of influenza on mortality: a complex assessment based on statistical models
No influenza surveillance system is comprehensive, and not all cases of influenza result in medical care or diagnostic testing. In fact, the surveillance data presented in this report underestimate the actual burden of influenza. This is why statistical models are also used, particularly to estimate the number of deaths directly or indirectly attributable to influenza.
Data from influenza surveillance are very useful for assessing the impact of seasonal influenza on public health from year to year and informing health policy decisions, such as identifying target populations for influenza vaccination.
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rapport/synthèse
22 May 2023
The Burden of Influenza in Metropolitan France: An Analysis of Surveillance Data from the 2011–12 to 2021–22 Epidemic Seasons
Vaccination now available to all children aged 2 to 17
Following an analysis of surveillance data, and after taking into account the impact of influenza, vaccination coverage among at-risk individuals, the availability and efficacy of vaccines, as well as the impact on vaccination of children and adolescents, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) recommends that seasonal flu vaccination be offered annually to children aged 2 to 17 without comorbidities, without making it mandatory. The five existing vaccines may be used, but the HAS issues a preference for the one administered via nasal spray. The goal is to enable its reimbursement and to limit the spread and impact of the flu on the population.
Learn more: Flu: Extending Vaccination to All Children Aged 2 to 17 (press release dated 02/09/23)
Video: Seasonal Flu, 10 Years of Surveillance
Vaccination Information Service
What are vaccines for? How do they work? At what age should children be vaccinated? Vaccination-info-service.fr answers the most frequently asked questions about vaccination. A separate...
Winter viruses
thematic dossier
Every year, winter viruses cause outbreaks of the flu, gastroenteritis, and bronchiolitis. Simple preventive measures can reduce the risk of infection.
