Currently, French children are given 11 mandatory vaccinations, covering serious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles, etc. According to 1is January 2025, the list increases and the number will increase to 13 with the addition of vaccines against meningococci ACWY and B according to a specific vaccination schedule.
2022 and 2023 saw a significant increase in meningococcal infections. About 560 cases of invasive meningococcal infection (IIM) were recorded in 2023, a 72% increase over 2022. The figures are higher than those seen in the pre-Covid year, while IIM cases have declined in 2020 and 2021 thanks to lockdown measures and respect for prisoners. .
Invasive meningococcal infection (IMI) often presents as meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and/or SepsisSepsis (Blood Infection, Editor’s Note). Because of the IIMs. BacteriaBacteriaMeningococci: 12 families (serogroups) have been described to date.
Rarely, they are very serious, often with a rapid onset, and are potentially fatal in 1 in 10 cases despite antibiotic therapy. Infants, young children and adolescents are most exposed. There are other clinical forms such asArthritisArthritisthe PericarditisPericarditis Septic, or Purpura fulminansPurpura fulminans (combination of septic shock and purpura).
Two particularly dangerous strains
Serogroups A, B, C, W and Y are involved in almost all cases. But in 2022 and 2023, infections increased, which were associated with serogroups W (2.5 times more than in 2022) and Y (1.7 times more than in 2022). However, these two strains prove to be particularly dangerous, with death rates twice as high as other strains.
This is why, according to the recommendations of and Supreme Health AuthoritySupreme Health Authoritythe General Directorate of Health announced on December 19 that VaccinationVaccination ACWY and B against meningococcal infection will become, from 1is Next January, compulsory for infants. Vaccination against Meningococcus C, which is already mandatory, will be replaced by vaccination against Meningococci ACWY.
Note that, for adolescents, the HAS recommends vaccinating children ages 11 to 14 years according to a one-dose schedule, whether or not they have already been vaccinated, as well as ages 15-24 years. Catch-up vaccinations for children.
Gradual implementation
For ACWY serogroups, the first injection is given at 6 months, then the second at 12 months. For children already enrolled in the vaccination schedule, a transition is planned: those who received the first dose of meningococcal C vaccine before 2025 will receive a second dose with the new dose. The vaccineThe vaccine.
Against meningococcus B, 3 injections will be given: at 3 months, 5 months and 12 months. Vaccinations can be administered by doctors, PediatriciansPediatriciansThe MidwivesMidwives And NursesNurses.
