European Immunization Week (SEV), coordinated annually at the national level by the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity and Santé publique France, and managed regionally by the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), will take place from April 22 to 28, 2024.

This annual highlight serves to promote vaccination and remind the public that it is the most effective means of prevention to protect against many infectious diseases that can be serious and to reduce the risk of epidemics. As such, vaccination is a major priority for protecting the health of the population, including the most vulnerable.

Since increasing vaccination coverage and reducing social and regional health inequalities are priorities, the theme chosen for this year’s campaign is “reaching out.”

Santé publique France is releasing today the 2023 vaccination coverage rates at the national and regional levels, along with data on vaccination uptake in the general population.

8 out of 10 people in mainland France support vaccination

Santé publique France is publishing the latest data on vaccination uptake to guide and develop initiatives aimed at promoting vaccination among healthcare professionals and the general public.

The 2023 edition of the Health Barometer shows that vaccination uptake has stabilized at a high level: 84% of respondents in mainland France report being in favor of vaccination in general, with an upward trend in the proportion of people who are very much in favor of vaccination compared to 2022.

Vaccine acceptance, however, remains lower among those with the lowest levels of education or income, and is trending downward among older adults compared to previous years.

Vaccination coverage is rising, but still needs to improve to combat certain infections

Among infants, the increase in vaccination uptake continues. Among newly recommended vaccines, there has been a significant rise in vaccination coverage with at least one dose by 8 months against meningococcal B: 75% for infants born in 2023 vs. 49% for those born in 2022. It should be noted that vaccination coverage for the full series (3 doses by 21 months) against meningococcal B reached 35%. Vaccination coverage with at least 1 dose by 8 months against rotavirus (one of the viruses responsible for gastroenteritis), observed for the first time, is estimated at 31% for infants born in 2023.

Vaccination coverage for mandatory infant vaccinations is generally high. It should be noted, however, that vaccination coverage for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is increasing only slightly and remains below the 95% vaccination coverage target required to eliminate measles.

Among adolescents, in 2023, vaccination coverage against meningococcal C is estimated at 48% among 15- to 19-year-olds. This represents an increase of 4.2 percentage points compared to the previous year (43.8%).

Among adults, influenza vaccination rates are declining: they stand at 54% among those aged 65 and older during the 2023–2024 season, a decrease of 2.2 percentage points compared to the previous season. It stands at only 25% among those under 65 at risk of severe influenza, a decrease of 6.2 percentage points compared to 2022-2023. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccination coverage stands at 30% among those aged 65 and older. Vaccination coverage against both influenza and COVID-19 thus remains insufficient among individuals with risk factors.

The resurgence of measles and invasive meningococcal infections underscores the importance of vaccination, the only effective means of protection to curb the spread of these viruses

World Immunization Week is an opportunity to remind everyone that vaccination is a valuable preventive measure that helps protect people of all ages worldwide against potentially serious, even fatal, infectious diseases. According to the WHO, 2 to 3 million lives are saved each year thanks to this simple preventive measure.

Nevertheless, today, vaccination coverage remains insufficient in some areas, leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles, which had been eliminated in France since the COVID-19 pandemic. Internationally, the WHO expressed concern in February 2024 about the rapid spread of measles worldwide. In France, the 2023 epidemiological report indicates an eightfold increase in the number of cases in 2023 compared to 2022 and highlights the existence of pockets of individuals susceptible to the virus, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The majority of measles cases in France were linked to travelers returning from an endemic area. As France prepares to welcome millions of foreign visitors for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is particularly important during SEV to intensify catch-up vaccination efforts for all children, adolescents, and young adults born after 1980 who have not received a complete two-dose vaccination series—the protection required to prevent the spread of this highly contagious infectious disease.

Furthermore, invasive meningococcal infections are serious communicable diseases that can quickly prove fatal. While the implementation of preventive measures during the COVID-19 crisis led to a significant decline in these infections, the latest epidemiological data show an increase in the incidence of meningococcal infections, particularly of serogroups W and Y, in France. These data contributed to the revision of the Haute Autorité de Santé’s (HAS) vaccination strategy against meningococcal infections.

Since 2022, the electronic vaccination record has been included in the digital health portal “My Health Space.” It allows both healthcare professionals and users to record completed vaccinations and view upcoming vaccinations scheduled based on age.