As the winter season approaches, the risk of contracting acute respiratory infections increases. These infections can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable persons. It is therefore important to prevent the transmission of viruses through protective measures such as vaccination.
Adults can be vaccinated against three types of infection: infection by the Influenza virus (flu), infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) and pneumococcal pneumonia.
As the protection provided by vaccines is temporary, the ideal time for annual vaccinations is early to mid-October, in order to maintain protection until the end of the winter, when there are often waves of infections.
Influenza virus infection
As every year, a vaccine adapted to the circulating virus strains will be available in pharmacies. The vaccine is free on prescription for people over 65 and certain other vulnerable groups. The vaccination is carried out in the doctor's office. The first doses of vaccine will be delivered to pharmacies in September. For more information, please visit sante.lu/grippe.
COVID-19 or infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus
Despite a small resurgence during the summer, the number of COVID-19 infections remains low. Some new Omicron sub-variants are circulating in the population, generally resulting in forms with few symptoms.
At the end of September, the High Council for Infectious Diseases (Conseil supérieur des maladies infectieuses - CSMI) will issue an opinion on who should receive a booster dose this autumn. By then, Luxembourg will also have received vaccines (COMIRNATY®) adapted to the new strains. The vaccination can be carried out in pharmacies or at the doctor's office. The vaccine against COVID-19 is free of charge. Relevant information will be released to the press in due course. For more information, please visit sante.lu/covid-19. Please note that the two influenza vaccines and COVID-19 can be given on the same day in different arms.
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Vaccination against pneumococcal disease is recommended for adults aged 65 and over and for certain groups of people at high risk. For these persons, the vaccine is available free of charge. In general, one dose of the vaccine (APEXXNAR®) is sufficient and no booster doses are required in subsequent years (although there are some exceptions to be discussed individually with the attending physician). For more details on who can be vaccinated, please visit sante.lu/pneumococcus. The vaccine is already available at the doctor's office.
Press release by the Ministry of Health