Senior Citizens Advised to Get Efluelda or Fluad Influenza Vaccines Following Severe Outbreak
New Recommendation for Elderly Flu Vaccines: HAS Switches Gears
The French High Authority for Health (HAS) has shaken things up, announcing a change in policy on May 9 regarding influenza vaccines for the elderly. This shift comes after a particularly harsh flu season.
According to the HAS's statement, older folks (65 and above) should opt for Efluelda and Fluad vaccines over regular-dose injectables. Sanofi's Efluelda and Vifor's Fluad were previously involved in a heated debate between labs and health authorities over their effectiveness.
These two vaccines, particularly Efluelda, have been on the backburner due to authorities considering them no more effective than other vaccines. However, the severe 2024-2025 flu epidemic, marked by a higher mortality rate, pushed HAS to reconsider its stance.
The HAS based its decision on new data suggesting that Efluelda and Fluad can reduce hospitalizations in the elderly and lower influenza cases compared to standard vaccines by an estimated 15-25%. Despite this recommendation, the HAS doesn't favor one vaccine over the other.
With this update, Efluelda might make a comeback, though it still needs a fresh evaluation from HAS regarding reimbursement conditions and a price negotiation to start again.
It's essential to note that this change pertains only to influenza vaccines and not to the chikungunya IXCHIQ vaccine, for which vaccination for individuals aged 65 and over was suspended due to safety concerns.
Keep in mind that the flu vaccination for the elderly remains vital in Europe, aiming to protect against dominant strains, as seen in Germany's current guidelines.
So, buckle up, folks – it's a flu-fighting world out there! Don't forget to consult your doctor before getting vaccinated!
*Additional insights:
Although the HAS hasn't directly suggested a change in the use of Efluelda and Fluad for elderly individuals following the 2024-2025 flu epidemic, it has switched its recommendations for other vaccines, such as the chikungunya IXCHIQ, due to safety concerns. Influenza vaccination for the elderly remains crucial across Europe to protect against prevalent strains.
Sources: Le Monde, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
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