43% of French people are not sure they are up to date with their vaccines. In France, 11 vaccines are mandatory. Do you know which ones? Adult, baby, teenager, for school, travelling: list of injections to be given by age.
3 out of 4 French people think that vaccination has more benefits than risks for health and are therefore in favor of compulsory vaccination, according to a Ipsos survey for the pharmaceutical group GSK made public on April 24, 2023. However, the level of knowledge, particularly on compulsory vaccines, is worrying. In effect, 43% of French people are not sure they are up to date with their vaccination status and the population is largely unaware of the existence of a vaccine for one in three diseases, reports the study. Yet in France, the vaccination against 11 illnesses is compulsory for children born on or after June 1, 2018. Which ? What vaccines are required for the adult ? For to travel ? To enter to school ? Our guide to being up to date in your vaccination status according to your age.
List of the 11 compulsory vaccines in France
There is 11 compulsory vaccines in France since 2018 (corresponding to vaccination against 11 diseases):
- diphtheria (DTPolio vaccine (Repevax®, Infanrix®…)
- tetanus (DTPolio vaccine)
- poliomyelitis (DTPolio vaccine)
- Haemophilius influenzae B (bacterium causing pneumonia and meningitis in particular / can be combined with the DTPolio vaccine)
- Whooping cough (can be combined with the DTPolio vaccine)
- Hepatitis B
- Measles (MMR vaccine)
- mumps (MMR vaccine)
- Rubella (MMR vaccine)
- Meningococcus C (bacteria causing meningitis)
- Pneumococcus (bacterium causing in particular pneumopathies and meningitis)
“Vaccines were made compulsory for diseases which were considered scourges for humanity and for which we had an extremely effective vaccine, explains Pr Dominique Salmon, infectiologist. For example, the vaccine against diphtheria was imposed in 1938the one against tetanus in 1940 and the one against polio in 1964. At that time, the diseases were very serious, very frequent and very contagious, so it was necessary to make this decision of compulsory vaccination. When the decision to make the polio vaccine compulsory was made, it was a disease that left many people paralyzed for life and led to some requiring assisted breathing.”
What are the mandatory vaccines for babies and children?
THE babies born after January 1, 2018 in France must be vaccinated against 11 diseases : Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Pertussis, Invasive infections with Haemophilus influenzae type B, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus serogroup C, Measles, Mumps, Rubella. This vaccination represents 10 injections, spread over 2 years.
► School : The realisation of these 11 vaccinations are mandatory to return to school, daycare, go to summer camp or other group of children. The presentation of the health record or a document provided by the doctor serves as proof.
What vaccines are required for adults?
In adulthood, care must be taken to be up to date with reminders to re-enable protection conferred by vaccines because it does not necessarily last for life
- Reminder Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis (DTPolio vaccine): 25 years, 45 years, every 10 years from 65 years old.
- Pertussis: To 25 years. For people aged over 25 who have not received this reminder, a catch-up may be offered up to the age of 39 years old.
- Meningococcal C meningitis and septicemia : vaccination is recommended until 24 years included for unvaccinated adults in childhood or adolescence.
What vaccines are required for travel?
Vaccinations against certain diseases may be recommended for adults traveling abroad. It’s important to inquire and prepare at least 2 months before departure in order to make an appointment with your attending physician or at a vaccination center specializing in vaccinations for travelers depending on the destination.
► The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for all stays in endemic areas (intertropical regions of Africa and South America). The injection must be performed at least 10 days before departure.
► The meningococcal meningitis vaccine is obligatory for pilgrims going to Mecca.
► The typhoid vaccine is recommended for travelers (adults and children aged 2 and over) who have to make a prolonged stay or in poor conditions in countries where hygiene is precarious and where the disease is present, in particular in India and neighboring countries (in dark blue on the map below). The injection must be performed 15 days before departure on the trip.
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What are the mandatory vaccines during pregnancy?
Mandatory vaccines during pregnancy are those against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. You certainly received them during your childhood. If it’s not the case, a recall is planned at the age of 25 or 45. Other vaccines are strongly recommended such as those for measles, rubella, mumps (MMR), hepatitis B and whooping cough. Since 2012, the High Council for Public Health recommends routine flu vaccination for pregnant womenregardless of the stage of their pregnancy.
Are mandatory vaccines reimbursed?
All required vaccines are covered 65% by health insurance and 35% by complementary insurance who offer a “responsible contract”. In addition, there are various adapted circuits, in particular vaccination centers, which offer completely free care.
What are the conditions for deciding on a vaccination obligation?
“The obligation to vaccinate is quite rare, it is determined by law and to decree it, you must first analyze the situation very finely according to several criteria” indicates Pr Dominique Salmon, infectiologist:
► The severity of the disease: the disease must be really severe for the majority of people, and potentially fatal.
► The effectiveness of the vaccine: the vaccine must be highly effective, regardless of the strains responsible for the disease. There should be only one virus or bacteria causing the disease (as in tetanus) or a few viruses (as in polio), but the vaccine must act on all these strains.
► A very positive benefit-risk balance: this means that, even if vaccination presents risks, because there are always risks, however small, with any medical or vaccination procedure, these must be very minor compared to the benefits it entails. At the end of the clinical trials, we have a good idea of the tolerance of the vaccines but it makes wait until millions of people are vaccinated to precisely assess the very minimal risks which affect less than 1 person in 1 million.
► Vaccine availability: a vaccine can only be made compulsory if it is accessible to the entire population, including in my opinion for people who are not covered by health insurance. Because not vaccinating people who do not have access to healthcare in France would imply allowing individuals to circulate who could continue to contract and transmit the disease.
Thanks to Pr Dominique Salmon, infectiologist