Since the start of 2018, the baby vaccination schedule has undergone significant changes, with an annual update. Currently, eleven vaccines have become mandatory, marking a significant development from the three previously required.
1. What vaccinations are required for babies?
According to information from the Service-public website, compulsory vaccines for babies born after 2018 include:
Additionally, for residents of Guyana aged at least one year, vaccination against yellow fever is also mandatory. It is important that those with parental authority ensure that this obligation is respected. In addition to these mandatory vaccines, there are also recommended vaccines against diseases such as tuberculosis, meningococcal type B, chickenpox, influenza, shingles, human papillomavirus infections and rotavirus.
2. Vaccination schedule: At what age should vaccinations be given?
According to Vaccination-info-service.fr, a Public Health France site, the recommended vaccination schedule offers a series of vaccines to be administered at specific times of life:
- BCG (tuberculosis): Recommended from birth through 15 years of age for children at high risk.
- Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP): compulsory from birth, with boosters recommended at fixed ages.
- Whooping cough: obligatory at the age of 2 months, with reminders for those around the infant if necessary.
- Yellow fever: obligatory for residents of Guyana over 12 months old, as well as for any stay in an endemic zone.
- Hepatitis B: obligatory at the age of 2 months, with the possibility of vaccination up to and including 15 years of age if necessary.
- Pneumococcus: obligatory at the age of 2 months.
- Meningococcus C: compulsory at the age of 5 months, with catch-up possible up to and including 24 years of age.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella: obligatory at the age of 12 months, with a second dose between 16 and 18 months.
- Human papillomavirus: Recommended for young people aged 11 to 14, girls and boys, with catch-up up to 19 years old inclusive.
- Shingles: Recommended for people aged 65 to 74 years inclusive.
- Rotavirus: Recommended for all infants aged 6 weeks to 6 months.
- Meningococci B: Recommended for all infants aged 2 months to 2 years.
Flu vaccination is recommended annually for people at risk, including children aged 6 months and over, pregnant women and individuals aged 65 and over. In addition, annual vaccination against seasonal influenza can be offered to children aged 2 to less than 18 years, who do not have comorbidities.
Sources
- Vaccination calendar, Service-public.fr, the official website of the French administration, January 1, 2024
- Infants and children (from birth to 13 years), Vaccination-info-service.fr, January 30, 2024
- Compulsory vaccinations, Health Insurance, September 22, 2023