Key points

In infants

• The mandatory meningococcal ACWY vaccination program, implemented on January 1, 2025, for infants following an increase in cases of invasive meningococcal infections of types W and Y, has resulted in moderate vaccination coverage, with nearly 53% of infants born in 2025 having received the first dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. Among children born in 2024—that is, before the replacement of the meningococcal C vaccine with the ACWY vaccine—38% had received at least one dose of the tetravalent ACWY meningococcal vaccine by the age of 21 months. It is important to note that vaccination started with a monovalent C vaccine before January 1, 2025, in infants must be continued with a tetravalent ACWY vaccine.
• In 2025, the year the mandatory meningococcal B vaccination for infants up to age 2 was implemented, vaccination coverage against these infections has nearly doubled, with 21% of infants born in 2024 (aged 21 months) up to date on their vaccinations (compared to 12% in 2024).
• Vaccination coverage for other mandatory infant vaccinations is generally average, with levels below the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nevertheless, given the resurgence of measles virus circulation in France since 2024, it is important to note that vaccination coverage for the two-dose series against measles, mumps, and rubella must exceed this target to interrupt the circulation of the virus, which can lead to deaths among vulnerable individuals. Verifying and updating this vaccination status is essential for both children and young adults.

Among adolescents and young adults

• Given the potential severity and increased frequency of invasive meningococcal infections during adolescence, vaccination against meningococcal ACWY is recommended for adolescents, with catch-up vaccination for young adults. Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is recommended between the ages of 11 and 14 using a single-dose schedule, regardless of vaccination status. Catch-up vaccination is recommended between the ages of 15 and 24 using a single-dose schedule. In 2025, only 4% of 11- to 14-year-olds and 2% of 15- to 24-year-olds had received a dose of this vaccine. Vaccination against meningococcal ACWY must be stepped up among adolescents. Incorporating this vaccination into campaigns conducted in middle schools starting in 2026 will help strengthen young people’s protection against these infections. Efforts to improve vaccination coverage must continue in order to achieve herd immunity and reduce the circulation of meningococci in other age groups.
• Vaccination coverage against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections continues to increase, with 18% of 16-year-old girls and 9% of 16-year-old boys having completed the full vaccination series. The gap in vaccination coverage between girls and boys continues to narrow. This progress is encouraging, but vaccination coverage remains insufficient to reduce the incidence of cancers linked to these infections. The national target set by the 10-year cancer control strategy is 80% for both girls and boys by 2030. Efforts must therefore continue to achieve this goal. To do so, it is necessary to build on vaccination campaigns in middle schools and reinforce prevention messages regarding the importance of vaccinating boys. Vaccinating boys is just as essential as vaccinating girls: it contributes to equitable and sustainable protection for the entire population.
• In French Guiana, given the low vaccination coverage, the ARS has sought to implement a comprehensive catch-up strategy in middle schools by expanding the catch-up campaign to include vaccines other than HPV and ACWY. This catch-up campaign targets boys and girls in grades 6 through 9.

Vaccination Uptake

According to the 2024 Santé publique France Barometer, vaccination uptake remains high in the region, particularly among young people, with 84% of 18- to 25-year-olds stating that they are in favor of vaccination in general.