The French Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France) described winter flu as a “very serious hospital emergency” in its latest report. How can we explain this toxicity? An expert and an emergency room doctor are on the scene.
As we enter 2025, we are seeing more pandemic symptoms than ever before. The French Ministry of Health said in its latest report, published on January 8, that the use of flu vaccines is being reviewed. Health checks are “very positive” compared to last season. The total cost is still rising and the epidemic has not yet peaked in Hong Kong. Why is this winter different? We consulted two experts.
Colds occur earlier and are more severe
Doctissimo contacted Emmanuel Piednoir, a specialist at Granville Hospital and professor at the University of Caen, who confirmed this. The 2025 flu season will be more severe and this is not just a fantasy. People are not protecting themselves enough.
Other important factors have also played a role in the spread of the disease. “In France, too, we have low vaccination rates due to a lack of confidence, even in high-risk groups,” the epidemiologist said.
He’s right. According to the French Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France), 80 percent of severe flu cases in intensive care units occur in people who have not been vaccinated. “Similarly, shortness of breath will eventually go unnoticed and will be forgotten by many people.” Experts believe that, despite the fact that we are in a period when coronavirus infections are widespread, all you have to do is go to the metro to check if someone is wearing a mask. Even simple things like hand hygiene will not be observed.
Mix during the festival
It did not escape anyone’s attention that this increase came just ten days before the start of holidays and family gatherings. “This combination during the holiday period is always beneficial for the spread of the virus,” recalled Emmanuel Piednoir.
Medical problems
Finally, in practice, patient organization and care also seem to be making the problem worse. This is why many hospitals have had to switch to free outpatient clinics. “In addition to flu and early vaccination, the elderly and vulnerable are faced with reduced healthcare coverage, which will lead to inequalities and shortages,” said emergency room physician Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
There is still time to get vaccinated!
Experts are reminding us that in the face of this threat, the flu vaccine is still effective and possible.
This is the message that needs to be conveyed now. It is not too late, or even worse, we are still on the rise. “We’re probably a few weeks away from that,” the epidemiologist said. While no flu vaccine is guaranteed to be 100% effective, it is widely accepted that it is the only way to protect people from serious illness.