Every year, in Switzerland, the flu is responsible for between 100 000 and 250 000 visits to the doctor, 1000 to 5000 hospitalisations and several hundred deaths. In France, the number of medical consultations for flu-like symptoms during the 2017/18 season was estimated at 2.4 million and an estimated 53% of patients hospitalised with the flu were aged 65 or over. 81% of patients with serious cases of flu requiring life support had at least one risk factor, generally age (47% were over 65 years old), and/or one or more chronic conditions. In France, the excess mortality attributable to the flu during the 2017/2018 season was estimated at 12 980 deaths. 

The flu vaccine has proved its worth by halving the number of flu-related hospitalisations, and it lessens the severity of the symptoms.

Carriers can spread the flu virus without experiencing symptoms themselves, so it is easily passed to vulnerable people for whom it could be fatal. 

The flu vaccine is safe, simple and effective and is officially recommended for the over-65s, pregnant women, obese people (BMI greater than or equal to 40) and those in regular contact with infants under six months old.

Other adults can also be vaccinated for their own benefit, as well as for the benefit of vulnerable people around them.

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist and the members of CERN’s Medical Service can answer any questions you may have about the flu vaccine.

The health professionals in the CERN Medical Service can prescribe and administer the vaccine.

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More information can be found on our website: https://medical-service.web.cern.ch/