Fyellow fever for tropical areas of Africa and South America, Japanese encephalitis in certain countries in Asia or Oceania, typhoid fever recommended in India, rabies for Africa, Asia and South America, hepatitis A for countries with poor hygiene…
So many preventive vaccines are recommended and sometimes even obligatory before flying to distant destinations. Until now, travelers from the west of the department were forced to go to Nice (to the airport or to L’Archet 1 hospital) or to Cagnes-sur-Mer (Saint-Jean clinic) to carry out these specific vaccinations. .
“It’s a bit like my babylittle”
This has not been the case for a few days. The Grasse Hospital Center has just opened an international vaccination center. And it’s unprecedented. This new special traveler consultation is offered on Wednesday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Open since September 25, it has already enabled around thirty people, residing in Grasse, Cannes, Mandelieu and their surrounding areas, to be vaccinated not far from their homes.
This first center in the west is the result of a long process of five years. “It’s a bit like my baby says Dr Cédric Étienne, head of the infectious disease department at Grasse Hospital.
Arriving in the establishment in 2015, this specialist developed this discipline among the care offerings in Grasse. “In 2016, we opened the free information, screening and diagnosis center. On traveler vaccination, I did consultations at the Saint-Jean clinic in Cagnes. I noticed a real deficiency in the west. Today, it is an added value for the establishment. Ebola, Covid, monkeypox, it is essential to prevent rather than cure.”
At least one month in advance
Initiated in 2019, the project received approval from the ARS (Regional Health Agency) in January 2021. But the Covid crisis delayed its implementation until September 2024.
A novelty which was an opportunity for the entire infectious diseases department to regroup in new premises, on the 2nd floor of the Chênes Verts building.
From a practical point of view, it is better to anticipate vaccinations. “You must be vaccinated one month before leaving. And sometimes more, because certain vaccines, such as that against Japanese encephalitis, require two injections spaced one month apart,” warns Dr. Cédric Étienne.
Not reimbursed by Social Security
Please note that these traveler consultations are not reimbursed by social security. It costs 40 e, to which is added the price of vaccines which can be provided by the center. Finally, although certain vaccines can be carried out by general practitioners, this is not the case for yellow fever, which must be carried out in an International Vaccination Center.
Just half a day of vaccination is not a lot. But the service assures: “We will open other slots if necessary.”
> Appointment: 04.93.09.56.32, and soon on Doctolib.
