15 Million Flu Doses Available as France Launches 2026 Vaccination Campaign

France launched its annual vaccination campaign against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, aiming to improve protection levels after a severe flu epidemic last winter, actu.fr reported. Health authorities set a priority to shield vulnerable populations, including older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, immunocompromised patients, and pregnant women.

Fifteen million influenza doses distributed across France

The current campaign provides 15 million anti-flu doses to doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and midwives, representing about one million more doses than the previous season. Five distinct vaccines are available, with two formulations specifically recommended for seniors: Efluelda produced by Sanofi and Fluad produced by Seqirus. For COVID-19, vaccine reimbursement remains available for the general public regardless of targeted risk categories, maintaining the coupling of both immunizations without advancing the autumn schedule.

Public health officials cite severe prior winter impact

Grégory Emery, Director General of Health, stated that progress remains insufficient despite encouraging trends. We have ways to act, Emery noted alongside officials from Santé publique France, the Assurance Maladie, and the national drug agency, emphasizing that vaccination is critical for reducing severe forms, hospitalizations, and deaths alongside standard barrier gestures.

Santé publique France reported that the 2025-2026 flu season caused 12,700 deaths and severely strained hospital systems, whereas COVID-19 exerted minimal pressure. Etienne Pot, acting director general of Santé publique France, indicated that influenza circulation remained moderate at the campaign launch, while COVID-19 continues year-round circulation with decreasing wave intensities each late summer.

Expanded pharmacy stocks and direct reminders deployed

To overcome access and adherence barriers, health authorities introduced new distribution mechanisms allowing independent physicians, nurses, midwives, and health centers to hold physical stocks of flu and COVID-19 vaccines purchased from pharmacies. The Assurance Maladie dispatched invitation vouchers and will issue email and SMS reminders to unvaccinated individuals weeks after the campaign kickoff.

Catherine Grenier, medical adviser for the National Health Insurance fund, announced that call-center operators will contact 250,000 insured individuals facing vulnerabilities—such as Supplementary Health Solidarity beneficiaries or those without a primary care doctor—who are receiving vaccination invitations for the first time.

Regulatory framework planned for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination

The campaign runs through the end of January 2027, focusing heavily on high-risk individuals and healthcare professionals in close contact with them. A mandatory annual vaccination policy for healthcare workers is currently in preparation, with regulatory texts scheduled for release at the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Emery stressed the necessity of transparent communication to counteract misinformation and maintain public trust. Misinformation fuels a loss of trust, and fewer vaccinations mean more deaths., he stated.

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