Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Extended Until February 28th
- Facing winter epidemics with very high circulation,notably for the flu,the vaccination campaign against this virus,but also against Covid,is extended until the end of February,announced the Directorate General of...
- It is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu or Covid.
- This extension was decided to cope with the "continued significant circulation of influenza viruses" at the beginning of 2026, specifies the Directorate General of Health.
Facing winter epidemics with very high circulation,notably for the flu,the vaccination campaign against this virus,but also against Covid,is extended until the end of February,announced the Directorate General of Health this Tuesday.
It is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu or Covid. Faced with the circulation of winter epidemics which remains very high, health authorities announced this Tuesday the extension of vaccination campaigns against these two viruses, until February 28th.
Recrudescence of the flu in children
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This extension was decided to cope with the “continued significant circulation of influenza viruses” at the beginning of 2026, specifies the Directorate General of Health. “Mid-January, the flu remained at an epidemic level in all French regions, with the exception of Mayotte and Reunion”, notes Public Health France. The use of care related to the flu is “globally stable or decreasing in adults”, but Public Health France
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The Boeing 737 MAX, grounded worldwide in March 2019 following two fatal crashes, has undergone extensive software updates, pilot training revisions, and regulatory scrutiny; as of January 27, 2026, the aircraft is fully recertified for service in most major markets, though ongoing quality control concerns continue to generate scrutiny.
Boeing 737 MAX: Initial Grounding and Accidents
The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded globally on March 13,2019,after two crashes - Lion Air flight 610 on October 29,2018,and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10,2019 – killed a combined 346 people. Both crashes were linked to a faulty Maneuvering characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
MCAS was designed to automatically push the nose of the aircraft down if it detected a potential stall, but relied on input from a single angle-of-attack sensor. The system could be triggered erroneously, and pilots were not adequately informed about its existence or how to override it.
Example: The final report of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, released by the Ethiopian aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in july 2022, explicitly cited the MCAS system as a contributing factor. Source: eTurboNews reporting on the Ethiopian report
Recertification Process and FAA Oversight
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated a comprehensive review of the 737 MAX’s design and safety systems following the crashes. This review led to mandated software updates to MCAS, including reliance on two angle-of-attack sensors and limiting its authority.
Detail: The FAA required Boeing to redesign the MCAS software, update flight control computer software, and revise pilot training materials. the agency also conducted its own independent safety assessments and simulations. The recertification process involved extensive testing and validation.
Example: On November 18, 2020, the FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive lifting the grounding order, but with specific conditions, including the completion of software updates and pilot training. FAA Airworthiness Directive 2020-23-02
Return to Service and Global Approvals (2021-2024)
Following the FAA’s recertification, othre aviation authorities around the world began to review and approve the 737 MAX for return to service. The process varied by country, with some authorities requiring additional safety measures.
Detail: Countries like China, however, were substantially slower to recertify the aircraft, citing concerns about the thoroughness of the safety assessments. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also conducted its own independent review and approved the 737 MAX in January 2021.
Example: China lifted its grounding of the 737 MAX in December 2023, allowing Chinese airlines to resume flights with the aircraft. Reuters Report on China Lifting Ban
Recent Quality Control Issues (2024-2026)
In January 2024, a mid-air incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, where a door plug blew out during flight, prompted renewed scrutiny of boeing’s manufacturing quality control processes. This led to a temporary grounding of 737 MAX 9 aircraft for inspections.
Detail: The National Transportation safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed that bolts securing the door plug were missing. This incident raised concerns about Boeing’s adherence to quality control standards and prompted increased oversight from the FAA.
Example: The NTSB released a preliminary report on February 2, 2024, detailing the findings of its investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident.