High comorbidity rates in flu patients

According to a report, 88% of patients admitted to intensive care for influenza in 2025-2026 had at least one comorbidity or risk factor, highlighting the increased vulnerability of individuals with chronic health conditions during flu seasons.

Comorbidities increase severe outcomes

Diabetes multiplies the risk of emergency admission after influenza by four, and cardiovascular diseases increase the risk of myocardial infarction six to ten times in the week following infection, showing how pre-existing conditions can worsen flu-related complications.

Low vaccination rates among chronic disease patients

Less than 29% of chronic disease patients under 65 years old were vaccinated in 2025-2026, far below the 75% target set by the World Health Organization, indicating a significant gap in immunization coverage for high-risk groups.

Flu's impact on health and mortality

The influenza epidemic of 2025-2026 resulted in 1.2 million outpatient visits and over 24,000 hospitalizations, with an estimated 12,700 excess deaths across all causes, emphasizing the broad public health impact of the outbreak.

Chronic disease decompensation and cardiovascular risks

In addition to respiratory complications, influenza can cause decompensation of chronic diseases and increase the risk of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, with asthma being one of the most frequently found underlying conditions in hospitalized patients.

Vaccination coverage remains low

Despite these risks, only 28.9% of chronic disease patients under 65 years old were vaccinated during the winter of 2025-2026, compared to 25.9% the previous season, showing a modest increase that still falls far short of the WHO’s 75% target.

Eligibility for free flu vaccines

The list of chronic diseases eligible for full coverage of the influenza vaccine by the French Health Insurance is published in the calendrier des vaccinations et recommandations vaccinales, which includes a wide range of conditions, from asthma and diabetes to heart disease and certain cancers, among others.