Seasonal influenza

The real flu, also known as ‘influenza’, is not just a simple cold. It is caused by viruses, of which there are three types: A, B and C. All three types affect humans, with the exception of type A, which is the only one to affect both humans and certain animals (birds, pigs, horses, etc.). Type A viruses have 16 H subtypes and 9 N subtypes.

Type A viruses regularly infect a large number of people during the winter season, causing a considerable number of deaths worldwide.

Type A and B viruses cause respiratory conditions of varying severity. The elderly, the chronically ill, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of contracting the disease and suffering serious complications, mainly pneumonia.

Annual vaccination is the only effective way to prevent influenza. It helps to avoid the disease and its severe complications. In addition, getting vaccinated against influenza helps to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

The side effects of the vaccine are minor: pain at the injection site, a slight fever or some temporary muscle pain may occur in a minority of people.

However, vaccination is contraindicated in people who are allergic to eggs, as the virus is grown on chicken eggs during one stage of vaccine production.

Influenza viruses change every year, so the protection acquired following infection or vaccination does not protect against infection by a new viral strain. The vaccine must be adapted each year to the mutated viruses. Vaccination must therefore be repeated every year.

Vaccination method

• Vaccination: 1 intramuscular injection
• Booster: every year

Vaccination is recommended before the winter season, starting in October.

The vaccine is available in pharmacies with a prescription. It is free for the following groups:

• Children between 6 and 23 months of age who have risk factors
• Children between 2 and 17 years of age (two doses four weeks apart for children aged 2-8, one dose for children aged 9-17)
• People over 65, pregnant women and people at risk. People at risk are those who are immunocompromised or suffer from chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, or diabetes.

In general, it is important to remember basic hygiene rules. The flu virus is mainly transmitted through the air, but also through contaminated hands and objects.

It is therefore important to:

• avoid contact with sick people as much as possible;
• wash your hands thoroughly and regularly for 30 seconds with soap and water or hydroalcoholic solutions;
• cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing;
• always use a tissue to blow your nose, cough or spit, throw it away immediately after use and then wash your hands.