General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Immune memory helps the body respond when it encounters an infectious agent again. To understand vaccination, distinguish the signal recognised, the antibodies produced and the cells that retain this memory.
An antigen is a substance the immune system can recognise as foreign and that can trigger a response. It describes what is recognised, rather than an antibody the body has already produced.
Antibodies are proteins the body produces following contact with an antigen. They take part in the immune response. Distinguish the signal encountered from the response produced by the body when reading an explanation.
Some B and T cells become memory cells. At a later encounter, they can contribute to a faster, better adapted response. Immune memory involves more than the antibodies present at one moment.
This learning concerns specific recognition. When a vaccine is described as “training the body’s defences”, ask which infectious agent it targets. This avoids suggesting general protection against every kind of microbe.
Before vaccination, ask the professional to explain this mechanism for the vaccination being considered. Have them clarify the expected benefit for you; keep this question to help prepare your vaccination pathway.
Sources
Vaccination
Flu and Covid-19: the 2026–2027 campaign
The national flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign starts on 13 October 2026. In Doctolib, choose “Vaccination antigrippale (Grippe)” or “Vaccination COVID-19” for the vaccination you want to discuss.
Bring your carte Vitale and, for flu, your coverage voucher if you have one. The professional checks the recommendations and coverage conditions that apply to you.
The pharmacy checks whether vaccination and coverage apply based on the vaccine, your age and your circumstances.
Assurance Maladie — Campagne grippe 2026–2027 (9 octobre 2026) · Assurance Maladie — Campagne Covid-19 (30 septembre 2026) · Assurance Maladie — Vaccination par le pharmacien · Assurance Maladie — Prise en charge des vaccins · Ministère de la Santé — Calendrier vaccinal
Your health review
Review your health
Mon bilan prévention is an appointment to discuss your habits and choose your health priorities. Review the four age groups and practical information.