11ème Semaine européenne de la vaccination

To mark the 11th European Immunisation Week, organised by the World Health Organisation from 24 to 30 April 2016, the Prince’s Government’s Ministry of Health and Social Affairs would like to issue a reminder about the importance of vaccination against seasonal flu.

Flu is dangerous primarily for certain vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly, people suffering from chronic respiratory or cardiac disease and children.

The epidemic during winter 2015/2016 showed that the most serious cases were observed among non-immunised members of these groups.

The Prince’s Government notes that the only protection against this disease is immunisation.

Immunisation provides individual protection or reduces the effects of the disease for those who have received the vaccine, and it also prevents contamination of the rest of the population.

To be effective, the vaccine must be administered before flu viruses begin to circulate, generally from the end of October, so that the body can develop antibodies and protect itself.

The length of protection offered by a flu vaccine is one year, so it should be renewed annually.

You should consult your general practitioner for a prescription for the vaccine.

It should also be remembered that in the Principality of Monaco, sickness insurance organisations will reimburse the full cost of this vaccine to insured persons and their dependents.