Epidemiological Report 2025–2026

Every winter, the flu, COVID-19, and bronchiolitis lead to serious complications and place a strain on the healthcare system.

The 2025–2026 flu season was marked by heavy use of emergency departments: nearly 115,000 visits for flu-like symptoms, of which about 20% resulted in hospitalization. Approximately 1,600 clusters of cases attributed to the flu were reported in long-term care facilities. During the epidemic period, 12,140 excess deaths from all causes were recorded, making this season one of the most severe since 2011.

Bronchiolitis followed a seasonal pattern of relatively low intensity among infants, likely due to the prevention campaign against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), through maternal vaccination or monoclonal antibodies.

SARS-CoV-2 circulated at low levels during the winter of 2025–2026, with no notable impact on healthcare utilization.

Older adults, people with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems, pregnant women, and infants are particularly at risk of complications. Preventive measures must be adopted by everyone before the viruses begin circulating widely.

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations to Prevent Severe Illness

The seasonal flu vaccination campaign will begin on October 13, 2026, and end on January 31, 2027. In Mayotte, it began on September 8; in Réunion, it runs from May 4 to October 31, 2026.

It is primarily intended for people for whom vaccination is recommended: people aged 65 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems, healthcare professionals, and people in regular and prolonged contact with individuals at risk of severe flu. The vaccine is 100% covered by health insurance for those in the target groups.

Vaccination may also be offered to children aged 2 to 17 without chronic illnesses; in such cases, 65% of the cost is covered.

People not included in the recommendations may also purchase the vaccine and get vaccinated, but in such cases, neither the vaccine nor the injection is covered by health insurance.

The flu can be serious. Vaccination helps reduce complications and severe cases among at-risk individuals. As in the previous season, two so-called “enhanced” vaccines, Efluelda® and Fluad®, are available and are recommended over standard vaccines for people aged 65 and older. Furthermore, a growing number of studies show that, in general, vaccinations against respiratory infections reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with these infections.

Despite an increase of 1 to 4 percentage points depending on the population compared to the 2024–2025 season, flu vaccination coverage remains insufficient.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is also recommended for people at risk of severe illness, in accordance with current guidelines. Eligible individuals may receive both vaccines during the same visit, at two separate injection sites. If the vaccinations are administered separately, no minimum interval is required between them.

Starting this season, private-practice doctors, midwives, and nurses, as well as health centers, will be able to procure and stock influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to administer them to individuals targeted by current recommendations. This measure aims to streamline the process, increase vaccination opportunities, and improve vaccination coverage among the most vulnerable individuals.

Bronchiolitis: Protecting Infants from Severe Forms of RSV Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants. Although highly contagious and usually mild, this infection can nevertheless lead to severe illness and hospitalization, particularly among the youngest children.

The 2026–2027 campaign to prevent RSV bronchiolitis in infants began on September 14 in mainland France, with a schedule adapted for the overseas territories.

Two alternative strategies can protect infants against severe forms of RSV infection:

• Vaccinating pregnant women with Abrysvo® between the 32nd and 36th weeks of gestation allows protective antibodies to be passed on to the infant before birth.
• Immunization of the infant with a monoclonal antibody may be offered starting at birth, depending on the infant’s situation and current recommendations. The range of preventive options is expanding this season with the introduction of Enflonsia®, alongside Beyfortus® and, for certain specific situations, Synagis®.

Surveillance data from the 2025–2026 campaign confirm the already well-established safety profile of the preventive treatments used. However, medication errors have been reported, which may result in a lack of protection against RSV or adverse effects. Health authorities are urging healthcare professionals to exercise caution and are providing them with a summary sheet outlining the specific characteristics of each treatment to prevent these errors.

These protection options should be explained to expectant parents during pregnancy to enable them to choose, together with a healthcare professional, the solution best suited to their situation. For infants born during the campaign, immunization can be offered at birth; for those born earlier, it is scheduled as soon as possible before the RSV epidemic season.

In addition to vaccinating pregnant women and immunizing infants, adopting preventive measures to limit RSV transmission is essential: wash hands before caring for an infant, ventilate rooms, wear a mask if experiencing respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose), limiting the baby’s contact with sick people, and avoiding crowded and confined spaces with very young infants as much as possible.

Preventive measures to limit the risk of virus transmission and protect those around you

For all respiratory viruses, regular handwashing, ventilating rooms, and wearing a mask when the situation warrants it help limit transmission and protect those around you. These precautions are essential if you have symptoms or are in contact with vulnerable people, particularly in healthcare and care facilities.

During periods when acute respiratory infections are circulating, everyone is affected: vaccination and immunization protect the most vulnerable, and it is everyone’s responsibility to follow preventive measures. Even if you are vaccinated, it is strongly recommended that you continue to follow these measures, which protect against many viruses.

A campaign involving public health stakeholders throughout the season

The health insurance system will launch its flu vaccination awareness campaign from October 17 to December 20, with messages tailored to at-risk populations. Public service announcements will air on national and regional television channels, online video platforms, and national radio stations with wide audiences. Targeted digital communication will complement the campaign to provide information tailored to each situation. The goal is to raise awareness among at-risk individuals about the serious consequences of the flu and to help them make the right decisions for their health.

Invitation letters, accompanied by a voucher covering 100% of the cost and an informational brochure, were sent by the Health Insurance program in September. An email will announce the launch of the vaccination campaign on October 13, followed by two reminders—spaced three weeks apart—sent via text message or email to those invited who have not yet been vaccinated.

Since newly invited individuals are often less likely to get vaccinated, health prevention counselors will call 250,000 insured individuals who are being invited for the first time and are in vulnerable situations, particularly recipients of the Complémentaire santé solidaire or those without a primary care physician.

Santé publique France will launch its campaign promoting preventive measures starting October 5, 2026. The agency is also responsible for estimating vaccination coverage rates.

Healthcare professionals, regional health agencies, and stakeholders in health, social, and medical-social institutions and services play a vital role in disseminating recommendations and supporting the most vulnerable individuals.

The ANSM monitors the safety of vaccines and treatments used to prevent or manage these infections. As part of its pharmacovigilance efforts, it collects and analyzes reports of adverse events and, when necessary, informs healthcare professionals and the public. It encourages every healthcare professional and patient to report adverse events through the portal for reporting adverse health events.