Key Points

For Pregnant Women

For pregnant women, four vaccinations are recommended: vaccinations against
pertussis, the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These vaccinations
help protect both the pregnant woman and the newborn until the baby receives their first vaccinations, when they are most vulnerable to infections.

In the region, nearly 3 out of 4 pregnant women who gave birth in 2025 were vaccinated
against pertussis. This vaccination coverage has risen sharply since 2023 (+27 percentage points).
During the 2025–2026 RSV immunization campaign, 55% of
eligible pregnant women in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes were vaccinated against RSV. This
figure represents a significant increase compared to the implementation of this campaign in 2024–2025 (+20 percentage points). If the mother was not vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy, the infant can be protected from birth through an injection of monoclonal antibodies.

Vaccination coverage for the flu and COVID-19 among pregnant women is very
low, even though pregnancy is a risk factor for severe cases of these diseases.

For people aged 65 and older

For people aged 65 and older, vaccinations against pneumococcal disease and shingles have been recommended since 2025, in addition to vaccinations against seasonal flu, COVID-19, and booster shots against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio (DTP). Vaccination against RSV infections is also recommended for people aged 75 and older, as well as for those between the ages of 65 and 74 with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions. These vaccinations are part of a strategy to protect older adults against respiratory infections, which are responsible for numerous hospitalizations and complications such as cardiovascular events, cognitive decline, and loss of independence.

In the region, flu vaccination coverage among people aged 65 and older increased by 3.1 percentage points—the first increase since the COVID-19 pandemic—with 56.4% of people vaccinated during the 2025–2026 season. However, it remains well below the 75% target set by the World Health Organization.

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, only 28% of people aged 65 and older at high risk of severe illness were fully vaccinated against pneumococcal infections in 2025. Vaccination coverage against shingles remains very low, with fewer than 5% of people aged 65 and older having received a complete vaccination series.

Among residents and staff working in long-term care facilities for the elderly

Among residents and staff working in long-term care facilities for the elderly (Ehpad), vaccinations against the flu and COVID-19 are recommended in addition to preventive measures to protect the most vulnerable individuals.

Among residents in long-term care facilities, flu vaccination coverage remained high, with 81% of them vaccinated during the 2025–2026 season—a rate above the 75% threshold recommended by the WHO but one that has been declining over the past five years. COVID-19 vaccination coverage, however, was lower, estimated at 61%.

Among healthcare professionals working in long-term care facilities, flu vaccination coverage remains insufficient, with only 25% vaccinated despite recommendations, though there was a slight upward trend during the 2025–2026 season.

Vaccination Acceptance

Vaccination acceptance remains high in the region, particularly among seniors, with 80% of those aged 65 to 79 stating that they are in favor of vaccination in general.