Flu vaccination in the context of COVID-19

Given the COVID-19 situation, the Prince’s Government is recommending that people get a flu vaccine to better protect everyone’s health. The aim is to control the spread of seasonal flu as far as possible while the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate actively.

Flu vaccination is advised for absolutely everyone, from the age of 6 months:

• All healthcare staff and social workers who have contact with vulnerable people, particularly in care homes, institutions, hospitals and crèches have a fundamental duty to get a flu vaccine. Vaccination is also essential for staff who are critical to the functioning of the State.
• Who can administer the flu vaccine?
• Doctors, nurses, midwives, medical biologists and chemists can administer the flu vaccine. The cost of the flu vaccine is reimbursed for everyone who is covered by the Monegasque social security funds.

Flu vaccination offers many advantages:

• Flu vaccination makes it easier to treat patients presenting with a flu-like illness:
• Although they are caused by very different viruses, seasonal flu and COVID-19 produce identical symptoms: fever, cough, fatigue and muscle aches. Illness will be easier to diagnose if an infected person shows these symptoms but has been vaccinated against flu: healthcare staff will be able to identify potential COVID-19 more quickly and offer appropriate treatment, whether at home or in hospital.

Flu vaccination eases the pressure on hospitals:

• Every year, patients suffering from flu visit the accident and emergency unit, and some experience complications which require hospitalisation. Given the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, hospital resources must remain available to deal with serious cases of the disease.

Flu vaccination reduces the number of wasted PCR tests:

• Vaccination can also reduce the number of PCR tests carried out to identify whether someone has COVID-19 when they are in fact infected with flu.

Flu vaccination reduces the number of school and workplace absences:

• When a person shows symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they must stay off school or work while waiting for the result of their PCR test in order to reduce the risk of spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Without a PCR test, it is clinically impossible to distinguish between flu and COVID-19.
• By eliminating flu, we can therefore reduce the number of school and work days lost.

Flu vaccination is safe:

• Contraindications are rare: a genuine allergy to egg or chicken proteins and other ingredients mentioned on the label, or a serious allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
• For further information about the vaccine, please contact your regular family doctor.