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The last National Study Days for Childcare Nurses (IPDE) which took place in Le Havre raised a worrying figure according to the data collected in nurseries: a good part of the children looked after have a vaccination delay or not the number of vaccines requested …While these are mandatory.
To register your child in a nursery or nursery school, it is customary to present your child’s up-to-date vaccination record. As a reminder, in France, 11 vaccines are compulsory for infants born from January 1, 2018. A system which aims to protect the child and the community, and stop possible dangerous epidemics for these vulnerable populations. But according to the figures recorded by the ANPDE (National Association of Graduate Nurses and Students), on the ground, the account is not there. A survey assessing the vaccination coverage of children in daycare centers is even worrying.
25.3% of children have a vaccination delay
The association therefore carried out a survey, carried out from 1er February to March 30, 2024 by childcare nurses in 575 reception facilities across the national territory, collecting data on a sample of 12,347 children born between 2021 and 2024. What does she say?
- It appears that the Inclusive Home Health Representatives (RSAI) were only able to request 8,823 health records, or 71.5%;
- Of these 8,823, only 6,737 health records could be consulted and verified, or 76%;
- Ultimately, of these 6,737 health records consulted, the survey reveals that 25.3% of children are late for vaccination. That’s a little more than one in 4 children.
A lack of time dedicated to prevention that needs to be reviewed
To interpret these figures, the ANPDE specifies that of the 12,347 children surveyed, 5,610 health records could not be requested or consulted due to lack of time allocated to the missions of the Inclusive Home Health Representatives. The missions of the RSAI are multiple, and the childcare nurses prioritize their actions on urgent issues, such as alerting families and professionals about a gap in child development or even Individualized Reception Protocols (asthma, allergies, pathologies chronicles…).
“However, within the framework of these missions, there is in particular that of ensuring good vaccination coverage for children in daycare centers in the collective interest, as well as carrying out health promotion and prevention actions.” The mission is therefore not fulfilled.
Added to this are also parents who are reluctant to vaccinate their children and who are slow to check off all the obligations due to lack of time or negligence, which can also weaken the expected vaccination coverage.
Whooping cough, measles… a resurgence of cases in France
However, good vaccination coverage remains essential to ensure the safety of all and not create a problematic health situation. Last April, health authorities were concerned about an increase in cases of measles on French soil. In 2023, 117 cases, including 31 imported, were recorded, eight times more than in 2022.
This month, it’s whooping cough that questions and worries the Pasteur Institute. According to their data, the positive cases are already “eleven times more important between January and May 2024 than over the whole of 2023”with “nearly 6,000 positive cases”. Unheard of in 40 years. And the epidemic could thus persist: the disease is particularly contagious and infants are mainly at risk in the event of infection.
However, these two diseases should in theory not affect any child: vaccinations against both conditions are planned in the official vaccination schedule.
Accentuate prevention and train more nurses
To make up for this delay and increase vaccination, doctors agree, it would be important for childcare nurses to be able to prescribe and vaccinate children from birth, being trained and close to children on a daily basis.
These results also highlight the need to strengthen the resources allocated to RSAIs to improve vaccination coverage of children in nurseries.
The issues go beyond vaccination and prescription. The role of IPDEs, present in all key sectors for child health, is crucial: they must inform, explain and guarantee prevention, thus ensuring access to care everywhere and for everyone. “The evolution of IPDE training towards a Master 2 and the integration of advanced practice skills will make it possible to offer a rapid and effective response to the needs in the field. proposes the association in its press release.