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Johann Foucault
Published on
Dec 23 2024 at 11:54 a.m.
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This is a sad observation: 2022 and 2023 were marked by a significant increase in meningococcal infections. These bacteria can cause “very serious illnesses like meningitiswhich can be fatal or leave significant after-effects,” recalls Santé Publique France.
We are thinking in particular of the recent death of a 7-year-old girl, in Le Havre, following meningitis, which caused excitement in this town of Seine-Maritime.
Faced with this resurgence, from January 1, 2025vaccination against meningococcal infections will become obligatory for infants. What you need to know.
Rare infections, but which can be fatal
Invasive meningococcal infections most often manifest in the form of meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) and/or septicemia (blood infection, editor's note).
Rare, they are extremely serious, with an often rapid progression and potentially fatal (in 1 in 10 cases). Infants, young children and adolescents are most exposed.
Two very virulent strains
Serogroups A, B, C, W and Y are involved in almost all cases. But in 2022 and 2023, an increase in infections, linked to serogroups W and Y, was noted. Gold these two strains appear to be particularly virulentwith a mortality rate twice as high to other strains.
This is why, and in line with the recommendations of the High Authority of Health, the Directorate General of Health announced on December 19, 2024 that vaccination against meningococcal infections ACWY and B will become, from January 1st, compulsory for infants.
Vaccination against meningococcus C, already compulsory, will therefore be replaced by that against meningococci ACWY.
These signs which should alert
Two symptoms of an invasive meningococcal infection should be of particular concern, recalls the Ministry of Health:
• a poorly tolerated high fever,
• and/or one or more red or purplish spots on the body that appear quickly (purpura).
If you have the slightest doubt, you must urgently contact your treating doctor or 15.
Gradual implementation
For ACWY serogroups, a first injection is planned at 6 months, then a second at 12 months.
For children already enrolled in the vaccination schedule, a transition is planned: those who received a first dose of the meningococcal C vaccine before 2025 will receive their second dose with the new vaccine.
Against meningococcus B, 3 injections will be given: at 3 months, 5 months and 12 months.
Vaccination can be carried out by doctors, pediatricians, midwives and nurses.
With Destination Health
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