Vaccination coverage among high-risk individuals is improving, though it remains insufficient

The vaccination campaign, which began last October, has helped improve vaccination coverage among at-risk individuals compared to last year. According to the latest bulletin from Santé publique France, as of November 30, 2018, in mainland France, coverage rose from 41.3% to 42.9% (+1.6%) for all at-risk individuals who received a voucher from their health insurance provider, compared to the same period in 2017.

A national campaign on hygiene practices against winter viruses

Vaccination is recommended for at-risk individuals and is the best way to protect against the flu and its complications. However, it takes 15 days after the injection to be fully protected. Therefore, simple measures applicable to the entire population must be adopted to reduce the spread of the flu. That is why public health authorities are launching today, and running through March 3, the campaign “Master the Right Habits Against Winter Viruses.” This campaign will be visible online and in print media. Its goal is to raise public awareness of four simple and effective preventive measures:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

• cough or sneeze into your elbow (rather than into your hands);

• use a disposable tissue;

• wear a disposable mask if you have flu-like symptoms, especially when in contact with vulnerable people (the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, young children, and pregnant women).

Prevention is essential to reduce the spread of winter viruses, including the seasonal flu virus. These viruses spread easily through coughing, sneezing, droplets, and saliva from infected people; through direct hand-to-hand contact between infected individuals; through contact with objects contaminated by a sick person; and through the air, especially when a sick person is in a closed room (bedroom, waiting room, office, etc.). The flu remains the infectious disease with the greatest impact on healthcare utilization and mortality in France.

For more information

On preventive measures: www.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr