Seasonal flu

Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended in Luxembourg every year for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and those at increased risk of complications. This includes immunocompromised individuals and those with chronic heart, lung, or kidney disease, or diabetes. Vaccination against flu is also available for children and adolescents aged 2 to 17.

The seasonal flu is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, the main types of which are:

• Type A, generally considered the most likely to cause severe illness and lead to pandemics;
• Type B, which is also responsible for seasonal epidemics.

Annual vaccination is the only effective way to prevent the flu. It helps avoid the illness and its severe complications. Beyond individual protection, this vaccination also helps limit the transmission of the virus within families and among those around them, especially the most vulnerable. By protecting your child, you also protect others.

Influenza viruses change every year, and the protection acquired following infection or vaccination does not protect against infection by a new viral strain. The vaccine must be adapted annually to reflect the mutated viruses. Therefore, vaccination must be renewed every year.

In the case of an injectable vaccine, side effects are minor: pain at the injection site, a slight fever, or some temporary muscle aches may occur in a small number of people.

Paediatric Vaccination Method

Intranasal vaccination

• Intranasal vaccination: 1 nasal spray in each nostril (or 1 intramuscular injection)
• Booster: every year

Vaccination is recommended before winter, starting in October.

The intranasal vaccine is available free of charge directly from the child's general practitioner or pediatrician for:

• Children aged 2 to 17 years (one dose: one spray in each nostril)

For children aged 2 to 8 years who have never been vaccinated against influenza, a second dose 4 weeks later is recommended.

The intranasal vaccine is contraindicated in cases of immunosuppression, severe egg allergy, or treatment with salicylates.

Injectable vaccination

It should be noted that the injectable vaccine remains available for children between 2 and 17 years of age, for those who do not want or cannot have the intranasal vaccine. The injectable vaccine is particularly recommended in cases of unstable asthma or wheezing at the time of vaccination.

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

• Children from six months of age with risk factors (one dose)
• Children between 2 and 17 years of age (one dose)

For children between 6 months and 8 years of age who have never been vaccinated against the seasonal flu, a second dose four weeks later is recommended.

Adult vaccination method

• Vaccination: 1 intramuscular injection
• Booster: every year

Vaccination is recommended before winter, starting in October.

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

• People over 65, pregnant women, and people at risk. People at risk include those who are immunocompromised, or who suffer from chronic heart, lung, or kidney disease, or diabetes.