this fall-winter the epidemic will be weaker than in 2022-2023.

On the other hand, Covid has led to epidemic waves comparable in dynamics and intensity to 2022-2023, according to Public Health France, which published a report on Wednesday.

It’s time to take stock of acute respiratory infections in the fall and winter. Bronchiolitis, influenza and Covid caused epidemics in 2023-24, with less impact on hospitals and public health than in 2022-23, according to a report published on Wednesday 17 April by Public Health France (SPF). The season was marked by two consecutive peaks: the end of December associated with the bronchiolitis and Covid-19 epidemic, and the end of January associated with the influenza epidemic, the health agency noted.

The epidemic of bronchiolitis in infants continued “classical” lasting 12 weeks and with an intensity “lower” than the 2022-2023 danger season. “comparable” to pre-Covid episodes. One of the questions this season has been whether a large-scale campaign to immunize infants with the preventative treatment Beyfortus (Sanofi and AstraZeneca) would be effective in reducing hospitalizations. A victim of its success, this monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) has been reserved for maternity hospitals while awaiting new supplies.

In infants under 3 months, the impact of the epidemic on emergency department visits and hospitalizations after emergency department visits appears to be comparable to pre-Covid years and lower than in the 2022-2023 season, the SPF report alone noted. On the other hand, for infants aged 3 months and older, the observed exposure exceeds the pre-Covid level and approaches 2022-2023, while remaining lower. “The effect of the nirsevimab immunization campaign and its real-life effectiveness is currently being assessed,” the health agency recalled.

Covid epidemic similar to last winter

The influenza epidemic, which lasted 10 weeks and was primarily associated with A (H1N1) viruses, was widespread and intense. “moderate” in public medicine, including 1.5 million consultations. His seriousness was also evident throughout the world. “moderate” across all age groups: 14,000 hospitalizations following emergency department visits. A total of one hundred and twenty-five deaths were reported, more than half of which were people aged 65 years or older.

As for Covid, according to Public Health France, it has led to epidemic waves in dynamics and intensity comparable to 2022-2023. With the first peak in mid-September and the second in early December. Since late November, the most common Omicron subvariant called JN.1. Only a third of French people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated in a campaign that ran from October to February. The new Covid-19 booster vaccination campaign began in mid-April and should, in principle, last until mid-June.