Severe fatigue, headache, soreness and then a stuffy nose. After having “slept 30 hours on a weekend“, Mathilde decided to take the Covid test. Positive. However, Chloé, 29 years old, had a strong cough. She was declared Covid.
We had almost forgotten, but Covid is still circulating. It would even be increasing at the beginning of October, as shown in the epidemic situation update published by Santé Publique France. The Danish Health Authority notes a “intensification of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 seems to begin. In terms of waste water, the increase in Covid detection continues, but remains below the level of the same period last year. The development must be monitored in the coming weeks.“
The health insurance, for its part, warns that this increase in the circulation of Covid is “worn by adults and especially those aged 65 and over“.
Named XEC, the new variant, which appeared in Germany this summer, is gaining ground in France and may become a winter virus. “The virus has established itself in the landscape of respiratory infections, almost like the seasonal flu. With one difference, Covid-19 variants appear much more frequently, unlike the flu and the common cold.“, notes Philippe Halfon, an infection specialist at the European Hospital in Marseille.
Should we be worried?
But should we be worried about the arrival of XEC? “We are still looking for a new, more aggressive variant, but according to the data we have, there is no worrying signal, continues Dr. Halftone. He has no parenchymal damage (lung lesion, editor’s note). This is a classic symptomatology known with the Omicron variant. ENT infection with severe fatigue for a few days, sore throat, runny nose.“In 10% of cases, symptoms of diarrhea were reported.”Very classic with Omicron.“
It is in this context that the new vaccination campaign opens tomorrow in France. According to the High Authority for Health (HAS), vaccination against Covid-19 is recommended for people at risk of serious illness and based on the model of the influenza vaccination campaign.
This year, the Comirnaty® JN1 vaccine developed by Pfizer is the only mRNA vaccine distributed in France at the request of the Directorate General of Health. For those who wish to be vaccinated, the deadline to be observed after the last vaccine injection or the last Covid-19 infection is a minimum of 6 months. This period is reduced to 3 months for immunocompromised persons and persons aged 80 and over.
As a reminder, last year 30.2% of those aged 65 and over were vaccinated against Covid-19, including 36% of those over 75. Note also that these are the regions of Brittany and Pays de la Loire, with 37.2% and 37.4% of the over 65s having been vaccinated respectively. Even so, wearing a mask on public transport or when you are sick and washing your hands regularly are barrier gestures that are still relevant today.
Influenza and Covid vaccine: instructions for use
The vaccination campaigns against seasonal flu and against Covid-19 are carried out jointly and begin on 15 October. Who is affected by vaccination? People aged 65 and people suffering from certain chronic diseases, obesity, immunocompromised people or even pregnant women.
Vaccination against the two diseases is also recommended for those close to these vulnerable people, as well as for professionals in the medical and social sectors. These vaccines can be administered by a doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist. It is also possible to carry out both vaccines at the same time. Please note that they are 100% supported.