Winter virus visits rising in France

Healthcare visits for winter respiratory viruses, including Covid-19 and bronchiolitis, are increasing in France, but remain at levels comparable or lower than those of previous years, according to data from Santé publique France (SpF) released on Wednesday, October 28.

Bronchiolitis cases in pre-epidemic phase

From Monday, October 19, to Sunday, October 25, SpF noted "a tendency to increase in hospital emergency visits" for bronchiolitis, particularly in Île-de-France, now entered into a pre-epidemic phase. In the region, 9,511 emergency visits for bronchiolitis were recorded (per 100,000 visits), but these figures remain significantly below those of last year at the same period (16,635 per 100,000 visits).

Covid-19 cases slightly increasing

In hospitals, the care of patients suffering from Covid-19 is also "slightly increasing," particularly among those aged 65 and over, during the same period. However, "all the indicators remained at levels lower than those recorded at the same period in previous years," comments Santé publique France.

Flu vaccination efforts lagging

A new vaccination campaign against Covid, combined as in previous years with the flu vaccination campaign, began on Tuesday, October 13, except for Mayotte, where it has been ongoing since September, and Reunion, where it is aligned with that of the southern hemisphere. In France, neither the elderly and vulnerable nor healthcare professionals are sufficiently vaccinated against the flu, despite the recommendations of health authorities.

Mandatory flu vaccine for healthcare workers planned

In accordance with the recommendations of the High Authority for Health (HAS), health authorities are preparing the implementation of a mandatory vaccination against seasonal flu for healthcare workers "by the end of the first quarter of 2027," had stated the Ministry of Health mid-October. Until then, access to vaccination must be facilitated in healthcare facilities and city care structures, and professionals must be supported "in the preparation of this future obligation."