New 2024 vaccination schedule: what are the changes? Update with Dr Gérald Kierzek

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)

On April 26, 2024, the Ministry of Health published, as every year, its vaccination schedule. Here are the latest news and recommendations.

What are the new vaccines?

Faced with the health situation in France and around the world, the vaccination strategy is evolving, which is not abnormal, as Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo, mentions when reading these new developments:

Two new vaccines against pneumococcal infections

A new vaccine, called Vaxneuvance®, will therefore be available for vaccination against pneumococcal infections in infants and those under 18 years of age. Remember that the pneumococcus vaccine is mandatory for infants born since January 1, 2018. This is an alternative to the Prevenar13® vaccine. The two vaccines can be used interchangeably.

Adults will also be able to benefit from a single dose vaccine against pneumococcal infections, thanks to the new Prevenar 20® vaccine.

Vaccination against invasive meningococcal infections is evolving

There are different serogroups regarding invasive meningococcal infections: A, B, C, W and Y.

Until now, only vaccination against serogroup C was compulsory for infants. That against other serogroups was only recommended, but should become mandatory from January 1, 2025.

Vaccination against ACWY meningococci is also recommended for adolescents aged 11 to 14 years. A catch-up vaccination can be considered for people aged 15 to 24.

A new vaccine against shingles

The Shingrix® vaccine is now integrated into the shingles vaccination strategy. It is recommended for immunocompromised older adults aged 18 and over and people aged 65 and over.

One more dose against measles

As cases of measles increase in France, an additional dose of MMR vaccine is now recommended for people born after 1980 and who received a first vaccination before the age of one.

What vaccines are required for children?

As a reminder, in France, eleven vaccines are compulsory for children born since January 1, 2018:

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Poliomyelitis (DTP);
• Whooping cough;
• Invasive Haemophilus Influenzae type B (HIB) infections;
• Hepatitis B ;
• Pneumococcal infections;
• Invasive serogroup C meningococcal infections;
• Measles-mumps-ruberola (MMR vaccine).

Certain vaccines are also recommended:

• The tuberculosis vaccine (recommended from 1 month to 15 years of age, in children exposed to a high risk of tuberculosis);
• Rotavirus (vaccination recommended for all infants aged 6 weeks to 6 months, two to three doses are necessary depending on the vaccine used);
• Invasive serogroup B meningococcal infections (vaccination recommended for all infants: first dose at 3 months, second at 5 months, and booster dose at 12 months).
• Vaccination against invasive meningococcal serogroup B (and ACWY) infections should become compulsory on January 1, 2025.

What vaccines are recommended for adolescents and adults?

Here again, the recommendations are evolving.

Human papillomaviruses

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections remains recommended for girls and boys aged 11 to 14, with catch-up up to and including 19 years of age. It is also recommended for men having relationships with men up to the age of 26.

Flu

Flu vaccination remains recommended for those over 65 and people at risk of complications such as people with chronic illnesses, obesity or pregnant women.

Covid-19

Vaccination has found its rhythm. It is recommended every year, in the fall, for people aged 65 and over. An additional dose of vaccine is recommended in the spring for people aged 80 and over, people who are immunocompromised.

Shingles

Vaccination against shingles is recommended for immunocompromised people aged 65 and over.