In children, vaccines protecting against 11 diseases are compulsory in France. They are to be administered according to a specific vaccination schedule. List of mandatory injections, reminders, by age…
Some vaccines are mandatory in infants and children. Vaccination provides effective and lasting protection against many serious and even fatal infectious diseases. What are the compulsory vaccinations for children? At what age do they? Reminders? What are the risks ? The contraindications?
What are the compulsory vaccines for children (injections + boosters)?
11 compulsory vaccinations are carried out, unless there is a recognized medical contraindication, in the first 18 months of the child according to the vaccination schedule and are required, for entry or maintenance in the community, for any child born after January 1, 2018. When one or more vaccinations are missing, the public health code provides that the child is temporarily admitted. THE missing mandatory vaccinations according to the age of the child and in accordance with the vaccination schedule should be completed within 3 months of admission. Once the vaccination has started, it is then necessary to continue the immunization according to the vaccination schedule in force. When the child is admitted to a children’s community for a period of more than one year, the justification for carrying out the compulsory vaccinations to remain in this community is annual.
In practice, the extension to 11 mandatory vaccines represents 10 injections for children, spread over 2 years:
1 month | 2/4/11 months (3 injections) | 12 months | 16-18 months | 6 years | 11-13 years old |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuberculosis (BCG) |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 1time injection | Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2th injection |
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|
At 5 months (with a 2nd injection at 12 months), and possible up to 24 years | |||||
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At what age is the first vaccine given?
The first vaccination is done at the age of 1 month with the BCG vaccine (not obligatory but recommended in certain children). The first compulsory vaccines are administered at the age of 2 months.
What rules for the vaccination of premature babies?
Any birth that occurs before 37 weeks of amenorrhea, i.e. before the 8th month of pregnancy, is considered premature. Premature infants are exposed to an increased risk of infection in terms of incidence and severity, particularly for whooping cough. There routine vaccination should start at 2 months of chronological ageregardless of the initial degree of prematurity.
Should we always do BCG?
The AJVaccines® BCG Vaccine (formerly known as the SSI® BCG Vaccine) is currently not available in town. It is distributed only in vaccination centres, PMI services and centers for the fight against tuberculosis (CLAT). The available vaccines are currently at reserve for children most at risk and likely to progress in the event of infection to tuberculosis. These are primarily children under five who also present a risk factor linked to their environment or their relatives / entourage (in particular a family history of tuberculosis or links with a country where tuberculosis is very common). THE children living in Île-de-France are no longer a priority for vaccination, in the absence of other risk factors. Children born in Mayotte or Guyana should receive this vaccine as a priority.
What are the possible reactions after a vaccine in children
“Vaccination in children can cause pain at the injection site and feverish reactions, but this is relatively rare”, reassures the general practitioner. Among the effects reported: fever, local reactions, persistent crying, transient rash and hives. Diarrhea or vomiting have also been reported. For the most severe cases: high fever and/or convulsions (most often in association with fever), decreased muscle tone, decreased responsiveness. Effects “known, transient and mentioned in the vaccine leaflet” notes the ANSM which considers that “These data confirm the safety of compulsory vaccines for children under 2 years of age”.
To declare a desirable effect: www.signalement-sante.gouv.fr
What vaccines should I take before a trip?
“It depends on the destination but whatever it is, the hepatitis A vaccine is essential”, notes Dr. Marc Druet. It is strongly advised to be up to date with the vaccines recommended in France and to be protected against infectious diseases circulating in the destination area. Check with your doctor or pediatrician before going abroad.
What are the contraindications for vaccination in children?
► A known severe allergy to any component of the vaccine For example, “Some vaccines contain a tiny amount of egg protein. They are contraindicated in children who have had serious accidents following the ingestion of eggs, but this remains very rare”, says Dr. Marc Druet.
► The existence of a febrile illness or moderate to severe acute infection does not contraindicate vaccination but can lead to postpone for a few days. The presence of a minor infection and/or low-grade fever should not lead to the postponement of vaccination.
► Live attenuated vaccines (MMR, BCG, vaccine against rotavirus infections, varicella vaccine, vaccine against shingles, yellow fever) are contraindicated in case of congenital or acquired immunosuppression as long as the immunosuppression persists, except special cases.
Thanks to Dr Marc Druet, general practitioner.
Source: 2023 vaccination calendar and vaccination recommendations. Ministry of Health