Important update · 2026-2027 campaign. Starts on 13 October 2026 in mainland France and the overseas territories, except Mayotte and La Réunion. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given on the same day, one in each arm. New: the flu vaccine has required a prescription since 10 July 2026. From age 11, a pharmacist or nurse can write it and vaccinate in the same visit. For eligible people, the flu vaccine is fully covered with the Assurance Maladie voucher.
Last winter, in a few figures
Santé publique France, the national public health agency, described the 2025-2026 season as less intense in general practice than the previous one, but still heavy for hospitals. Flu led to 28,222 hospital admissions after an emergency visit. Among people aged 65 and over, more than one in two emergency visits for flu ended in a hospital admission.
The death figure only covers electronic certificates, which account for part of all deaths: the real toll is higher. COVID-19 circulated more quietly but is still there, with 1,906 electronic death certificates mentioning it over the same period.
There is good news: flu vaccination coverage rose by three points among people aged 65 and over, the first such increase since the pandemic, according to Santé publique France. It also means that more than four in ten people aged 65 and over were not vaccinated last winter.
What changes this year
- An updated COVID-19 vaccine, adapted to the circulating variant, with an adult and a child formulation.
- Flu vaccines better suited to people aged 65 and over: a high-dose vaccine and an adjuvanted vaccine are preferred for them, because the immune response weakens with age.
- The flu vaccine now needs a prescription: since 10 July 2026, a prescription is required (decision by the French medicines agency, ANSM). From age 11, a pharmacist or nurse can write it and vaccinate in the same visit; under 11, a doctor or midwife is needed. The Assurance maladie voucher does not change.
- More professionals authorised: nurses can now prescribe and give these vaccines, like doctors, midwives and pharmacists.
- A shorter interval for the most vulnerable: the COVID-19 vaccine is given six months after the last dose, but this drops to three months from age 80 and for immunocompromised people.
The vaccines to check after 65
The autumn campaign only covers flu and COVID-19. It is still the right time for a full review, because other vaccines are recommended from age 65 and often get forgotten.
These recommendations come from France's 2026 vaccination schedule. They do not replace the advice of a doctor, who knows each person's history and treatments.
Three questions to ask your parents this week
“Where is your vaccination record?”
Paper booklet, letters, pharmacy certificates: gather everything. Do not rely only on Mon espace santé, which is still very incomplete (as the national audit office has just pointed out).
“When did you last have your flu, COVID or tetanus vaccine?”
One date is enough to know whether a booster is due. For COVID-19, it sets the day from which the new dose can be given.
“Have you received the Assurance Maladie voucher?”
Eligible people receive it for the flu vaccine. Even without it, a pharmacist, nurse or doctor can write the prescription and vaccinate: just mention it at the next visit.
The right reflex: book a single appointment for flu and COVID-19, and use it to ask whether shingles, pneumococcal or the diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough-polio booster is due.
Frequently asked questions
Your parents' record, next to yours
Vaxelia tracks flu and COVID-19 season by season and applies France's 2026 vaccination schedule at every age: shingles, pneumococcal, boosters. Add your father's or mother's profile to see what is done, what is missing, and get a reminder before each due date. Your data stays on your phone.
Download Vaxelia — FreeSources: ANSM, flu vaccines now require a prescription · VIDAL, 2026-2027 campaign, 24 September 2026 · Le Moniteur des pharmacies · Santé publique France, 2025-2026 season review, via Caducée.net and VIDAL · Vaccination Info Service, shingles · France's 2026 vaccination schedule. This article is for information only and is not medical advice. For any vaccination decision, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.