Flu and Covid-19: stocks in practice and enhanced recovery for the 2026-2027 campaign

The influenza and Covid-19 vaccination campaign opened on October 13, 2026, with a deadline announced at the end of January 2027. Europe 1, CNews and Sciences et Avenir describe the same objective: to facilitate access to injections and better reach vulnerable people. Two levers dominate the announcements: the possibility of building up stocks among more health professionals and the strengthening of incentives for policyholders. [S1] [S2] [S5]

Doses available in the firm

Liberal doctors, nurses and midwives, as well as health centres, will now be able to dispose of stocks of influenza and Covid-19 vaccines, after supplying pharmacy. This organisation should make it possible to offer vaccination in the course of a consultation, without systematically asking the patient to go for his or her dose in the past. The media consulted converge on this development, but do not document the actual availability of stocks in each firm. [S1] [S2] [S5]

For influenza, 15 million doses are announced this season, about a million more than the previous one. Five vaccines are available. The sickness insurance specifies that, for persons aged 65 and over, Efluelda, highly dosed, and Fluad, with adjuvant, are to be preferred; However, standard vaccines remain usable. [S2] [S5] [S7]

Recoverys are strengthened, not entirely new

E-mail and SMS reminders are the other highlighted component. The October 8th Health Insurance Communiqué brings an important nuance: it is a renewed and strengthened scheme, not a complete creation. After an e-mail launch on October 13, two waves of revivals are expected three weeks apart. They will apply to insured persons for whom no refund of vaccine has been registered. [S2] [S6]

Personalised calls must also accompany 250,000 newly invited insured persons who are in a situation of fragility, including beneficiaries of complementary health care or persons without a doctor. According to Health Insurance, this operation will start in November and take place for the second consecutive year. It is particularly relevant to persons recently recognized as long-term patients between 18 and 64 years of age and those who have just reached 65 years of age. [S5] [S6]

Who is concerned and how to get vaccinated?

The priority remains the protection of persons aged 65 and over, pregnant women, persons with certain chronic or immunocompromised diseases. For influenza, severe obesity is also among the indications. Europe 1 refers to 20 million fragile people; More specifically, health insurance has sent nearly 21 million invitations. These figures do not describe exactly the same perimeter. [S1] [S5] [S6] [S7]

The coupling of the two vaccinations is maintained: injections can be made during the same session, in two different points. If performed separately, no minimum time is required between influenza and Covid-19. The date of 13 October has territorial exceptions: the campaign started in September in Mayotte, while La Réunion follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar. [S7]

The refund must be distinguished according to the vaccine and the act. The influenza vaccine is 100% cared for for people at risk, but its injection is usually covered by the usual conditions of reimbursement, with some integral care. The voucher sent to insured persons is a prescription; in the event of loss or absence of reception, a health professional may issue one to eligible persons. The Covid-19 vaccine continues to be reimbursed beyond priority audiences. [S5] [S6] [S7]

A severe balance sheet, figures to be distinguished

Sources agree on the severity of the previous winter, but their mortality figures are not uniform. CNews and Sciences et Avenir report 12,700 deaths for 2025-2026, a figure also found in the Ameli fact sheet. The Health Insurance Communiqué mentions 12,000 deaths, while Europe 1 mentions 12,000 excess deaths from all causes. These formulations and indicators should not be assimilated without further methodological precision. [S1] [S2] [S5] [S6] [S7]

The intensity and timing of the next waves remain uncertain. The authorities therefore encourage people at risk to be vaccinated without delay, in addition to barrier actions. Finally, the announced annual influenza vaccination obligation for caregivers should not be presented as already fully applicable: Health Insurance is completing the regulatory work expected by the end of the first quarter of 2027. [S5] [S6]