France to launch seasonal flu vaccination campaign on October 13

The seasonal influenza vaccination campaign in France is scheduled to run from October 13, 2026, to January 31, 2027. This follows a period where the 2025-2026 season saw approximately 115,000 emergency room visits for flu-like symptoms and 12,140 excess deaths. Priority vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 65 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses or immunodeficiencies, and healthcare professionals.

This year marks the first implementation of mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare workers, though enforcement will not begin until regulatory frameworks are finalized by the end of the first quarter of 2027. To increase coverage, medical professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, and midwives will now be permitted to stock vaccines directly in their practices.

Concurrently, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist is considering advancing the start date for the next COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This consideration follows a 67% increase in adult COVID-19 emergency admissions in mid-September and concerns regarding low vaccination rates among residents in nursing homes (EHPAD) aged over 80. A national information campaign by the National Health Insurance will launch on October 17 to raise awareness.