At the start of this year, everyone’s attention is focused on the Chinese coronavirus. However, in France, the seasonal flu epidemic continues. To date there have been 34 deaths linked to the disease, and more than 400 serious cases recorded in the intensive care units, including 59 last week. On Wednesday February 13, the Public Health agency France publishes its inventory. She notes “a moderate increase in indicators of influenza activity ” last week, that is to say medical consultations, emergency room visits. Vaccination has meanwhile slightly increased among people at risk compared to last season. These are the elderly, children, pregnant women, people with asthma or those with chronic illnesses.
More vaccinations, but still not enough
In metropolitan France, immunization coverage rose from 46.5% to 47.2% (+0.7 points) for all of these people, according to Social Security reimbursements made at the end of December. Also according to Public Health France, the majority (71%) of patients admitted to intensive care presented risk factors for complications. Almost as many (70%) did not receive the vaccine. Among the 34 deaths recorded there were 6 children under the age of 15. In addition, serious cases of influenza have also been identified in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Increasing consultations and emergency visits
Among hospitalizations for influenza, the most represented are children under 5 years of age (31%) and people aged 75 and over (22%). All metropolitan areas are currently affected and the consultation rate increased by 13% last week compared to the previous week, according to the Sentinelles surveillance network. The number of emergency room visits, meanwhile, went from 8,888 to 9,010 in one week, according to another surveillance network, Oscur. However, the number of hospitalizations has remained stable.
The vaccination campaign is still ongoing
Each year, approximately 7,000 people die from the flu. Last year it killed 9,500 people. In 2018, 12,980 died from it. This winter, there is something new in France regarding the flu. Indeed, it is now possible to get vaccinated against the disease in a pharmacy. This, it seems, contributes to this increase in vaccination coverage. It is also possible to do so until February 29.
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