Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis (or DTP)… Before 2018, they were the only compulsory vaccines for infants. But faced with the resurgence of diseases such as measles or epidemics, eight vaccines have been added to the list of those intended for children under two years of age.
Since January 1, 2018, the vaccination obligations for young children have therefore increased from 3 to 11 vaccinations, including: whooping cough, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Haemophilus influenzae (which causes in infants and small children purulent meningitis or inflammation of the epiglottis that can lead to rapid suffocation), hepatitis B, pneumococcus and meningococcus C in addition.
How are the injections distributed?
- At 2, 4 and 11 months (3 injections): diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, meningitis Haemophilus influenzae bmeningitis, pneumococcal pneumonia and septicemia, hepatitis B;
- At 12 months: first injection for measles-mumps-rubella;
- Between 16 and 18 months : the second injection;
- Is 6 years old: booster for whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis;
- Between 11 and 13 years old: new reminder for these 4 diseases.
What are the recommended vaccines?
Other injections are not mandatory but strongly recommended by the Health Agency. They can be done in addition to the 11 mandatory ones.
- Tuberculosis. Vaccination with BCG (for Bacille Calmette and Guérin) is the only way to protect once morest tuberculosis and is recommended from one month.
- Meningococcus B. The latter is a bacterium that is frequently found in the throat and can sometimes trigger a serious disease: invasive meningococcal disease. Vaccination recommended for all babies from 2 to 24 months.
- The seasonal flu: Responsible for winter epidemics, its vaccination is recommended from 6 months in the most fragile infants and protects once morest serious forms.
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis. It particularly affects children under 5 years old. Rotavirus vaccination for all infants aged 6 weeks to 6 months.
- The human papillomavirus (or HPV). HPVs are responsible for eight cancer sites: cervix, anus, oropharynx, vulva, vagina, oral cavity, larynx and penis. Recommended for girls and boys, from the age of 11.
Vaccination once morest Covid-19?
Since December 22, 2021, all children from the age of 5 can be vaccinated once morest Covid-19. The vaccine administered to children is the pediatric form of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, three times less dosed than the “adult” form (the one injected from the age of 12).
If your child has never had the disease, the full vaccination schedule is 2 doses 21 days apart. Otherwise, he will receive only one dose. Note that a period of 2 months must be respected between an infection with SARS-CoV-2 and a vaccination.
