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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
It is now official: the new vaccination schedule published by the health authorities plans to make vaccination against meningitis compulsory for all infants from 2025.
A few weeks ago, we discussed the new recommendations from the High Authority for Health (HAS) regarding vaccination against meningitis. Health authorities followed this advice and updated the vaccination schedule. From 2025, vaccination of all infants against meningitis will be compulsory.
A partially obligatory vaccine, currently
For the moment, vaccination against meningitis is compulsory in infants, but only the C strain of bacteria causing meningitis is concerned. From next year, from 1er January, all strains of meningococci – the bacteria causing the disease – will be compulsory for children under one year old. Let the strains A, B, W, Y in addition to C.
An upsurge in cases that worries the authorities
Following the “rebound in these serious infections” and the “resumption of the circulation of meningococci in France”, the health authorities have therefore taken the decision to make this vaccine, which will be tetravalent, compulsory. It will be administered to children in three doses, at 3 then 5 and finally at 12 months. Strain B is covered by another injection.
Meningitis, serious, potentially fatal infections
Meningitis are viral or bacterial infections that affect the meninges, which are the coverings of the brain. Despite treatment, 5 to 10% of patients affected by meningococcal meningitis die within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Meningococcal meningitis is responsible for after-effects in 10 to 20% of survivors: brain damage, loss of hearing or vision, learning disabilities, amputations. If left untreated, it is a fatal disease in half of cases.
“We know the severity of illness in infants” indicates Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo. “At this age, children cannot complain of a headache and the diagnosis of fever is difficult.” he adds. For the doctor, this decision makes it possible to improve prevention, during this period of increase in cases.
“There was somewhat of a hole in the racket, with certain strains of meningococcus for which vaccination was compulsory and not for others.. This will no longer be the case, starting next year.