The European Vaccination Week began on Monday, April 22, with Public Health France (SPF) releasing a report showing an overall increase in the vaccination levels of the French population in 2023. The report highlights significant progress in vaccination coverage for newly recommended vaccines among infants. For example, nearly 75% of infants born in 2023 have received at least one dose of the meningococcal B vaccine by eight months, compared to around 49% of babies born in 2022. Additionally, about a third of infants born in 2023 have received at least one dose of the rotavirus vaccine by 8 months.
While vaccination coverage for mandatory infant vaccinations is generally high, there has been insufficient progress in achieving the 95% coverage target for measles. Due to the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles and the influx of foreign visitors during events like the Olympics, SPF emphasizes the need to strengthen catch-up vaccination for all children, adolescents, and young adults born after 1980 who have not completed a full two-dose vaccination schedule. The proportion of adolescents vaccinated against meningococcal C has also increased significantly in 2023 compared to 2022.
Among adults, vaccination coverage against influenza and Covid-19 remains inadequate, particularly for high-risk individuals. Just over half of those aged 65 and older have been vaccinated against the flu in the 2023-2024 season, a decrease of 2.2 points from the previous year. Similarly, only about a third of individuals aged 65 and older have received the Covid-19 vaccine. The report does not include data on HPV vaccination, which will be added later.
The report also highlights that overall acceptance of vaccination in France has stabilized at a high level, with more than 8 out of 10 people favoring vaccination in general, according to SPF. While the proportion of individuals strongly supportive of vaccination has increased compared to 2022 and returned to pre-Covid levels, there are still disparities based on socio-economic factors. Vaccination acceptance is lower among individuals with lower education levels or incomes, and for the first time since the Covid pandemic, there has been a decrease in acceptance among older individuals. Resistance to certain vaccines, particularly for Covid, remains a concern.
In conclusion, the report emphasizes the importance of maintaining and improving vaccination coverage in France, particularly for high-risk individuals and certain age groups. Efforts to address disparities in vaccination acceptance and combat vaccine hesitancy, especially during public health crises like the Covid pandemic, will be crucial in ensuring the overall health and well-being of the population. The data provided by SPF serves as a valuable tool for policymakers and healthcare providers to guide vaccination strategies and interventions in the years ahead.
