Posted on 10/01/2025 12:44:21 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A healthcare worker administers a Covid-19 and flu vaccination to a woman wearing a protective mask in France. France launches joint Covid-19 and flu vaccination campaign Credit : Ground Picture, Shutterstock
France is gearing up for a winter health battle with the launch of a combined Covid and flu vaccination campaign starting on October 14 – and this year, the focus is on making it easier than ever for people to get protected.
Two jabs, one visit
Forget juggling multiple appointments. Health authorities say people can now receive both injections in a single visit – one in each arm – saving time and avoiding the headache of extra paperwork. Of course, if you’d rather stick with just one, that’s still an option.
Doctors, nurses, midwives and even pharmacists will all be on hand to deliver the vaccines. All you’ll need is the usual paperwork: a prescription or one of the official vouchers sent out by Assurance Maladie, France’s state health insurer.
France braced for travel chaos as nationwide strike hits trains, metros and flights
The push comes after a brutal flu season last year, which saw nearly 30,000 people hospitalised and millions more visiting their GP with flu-like symptoms. This winter, officials are worried about a new Covid strain – ominously nicknamed ‘Frankenstein’ – which has already triggered thousands of new cases. The fear is clear: a double epidemic that could overwhelm hospitals.
Who can get it for free?
Here’s where things get interesting. The Covid jab remains optional, but it’s strongly recommended for those most at risk. That includes over-65s, people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer, anyone who is immunocompromised, pregnant women, residents of care homes, and of course, healthcare workers.
If you fall into one of these groups, your Covid shot is fully reimbursed – no hidden costs – provided you book through a GP, pharmacy, or midwife.
For the flu vaccine, millions of people will soon find a voucher in their postbox entitling them to get the jab for free. This applies to:
Over-65s
Children as young as six months with chronic health conditions
Pregnant women
People with obesity (BMI of 40 or above)
Residents of nursing or long-term care homes
But it doesn’t stop there. Free vouchers also go to people who aren’t necessarily vulnerable themselves but who work closely with those who are – from doctors and carers to those living with newborn babies or immunocompromised relatives. Even workers regularly exposed to swine or bird flu are included.
And if you qualify but your post remains stubbornly empty? Don’t panic. You can still ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist to issue you a voucher on the spot, as long as you’ve got the paperwork to prove you’re eligible.
What if you don’t qualify?
Appointments are required whether you’ve got a voucher or not, and you’ll need to bring your carte Vitale health card to the appointment. Without a voucher, you can still get the vaccine, but you’ll have to pay: around €6 for the jab itself, plus whatever your GP, pharmacy or clinic charges for the appointment. Children aged between two and 17 are the exception, as Assurance Maladie covers 65 per cent of their costs.
Health officials are clear about their goal: vaccinate as many people as possible before the worst of winter hits. They’re betting on this ‘double jab’ strategy to reduce hospital admissions and ease the pressure on already stretched medical services.
France knows it’s a race against time. With the flu ready to make its seasonal comeback and the “Frankenstein” variant looming in the background, the stakes feel higher than ever. The message is simple: book early, roll up your sleeves, and do your part to keep hospitals free for those who need them most.
What, did DJT tell them it was bad for them?
/s
Reducing lifespans to reduce underfunded liabilities
Is there a white flag prize with each vax?
What about pregnant men? /s
This is France, after all.
Is there a white flag prize with each vax?
><
There should have been one in the US. The sheep would have loved racking up their feel-good prizes.
The Bill Gates-WHO population control solution.
Naturally, France leads the way.
Dang! No trophy for me.....😊👍
Hell to the yea! The line forms at the rear.
Fools, the lot of them.
The French government really want to slaughter their human population.
Apparently, others feel the same way.
YES
It’s France so it’s irrelevant.
👍🏼👍🏼
Me, either.
Many countries fall in that category but they’re waking up.
From the very beginning of the pandemic in the US and still ongoing, patients can get both the seasonal flu shot AND the Covid injections during the same visit to the Dr or pharmacy.
Great way to double your chances of death.
,,, yep, the cull continues.
If not, why not?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.