Because the number of infections exploded by 72% between 2022 and 2023, all cities in France, including Toulouse, are affected by this 12th vaccine. Indeed, facing a growing threat meningitis in France, vaccination against all strains of this potentially deadly bacteria is now compulsory from birth.
Two vaccines now mandatory to fight meningitis
Thus, since January 1, 2025 and because other types of meningitis have appeared over the years in young people and adults, vaccination against meningococcus type B and meningococci A, C, Y and W is obligatory in infants et children old enough to join a community (nursery, school, etc.). Also, among 11 – 14 ansa booster dose is strongly recommended.
As also recalled by the Ministry of Health, until now, only vaccination against meningococci C was required for babies born after January 1, 2018, with a dose of vaccine at the age of 5 months, then a second at the age of 12 months, while B was (only) recommended.
“We were already doing the Bexsero Meningitis B vaccine, and we are now doing the Nimenrix Meningitis A, C, Y, W“, explains Manon Méola, general practitioner in Toulouse, specifying that this 12th vaccine brings together the four strains.
What is meningitis?
The Pasteur Institute defines meningitis as “an infection of the spinal cord and the coverings surrounding the brain, the meninges, caused by several types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi” and specifies that “meningococci (another name for bacteria Neisseria meningitidis) are the major causes of acute meningitis.
Note that there are viral meningitis, the most frequent and mild, and bacterial meningitis, which is the least common, but the most serious and the cause of all these vaccines.
Meningitis in figures
In France, around 560 people are affected each year by a serious infection with different types of meningococci, infections which can cause disabling neurological or motor after-effects.
For its part, Health Insurance indicates that since 2022, meningococcus B is responsible for the majority of invasive meningococcal infections (44% of cases)then followed by meningococci W (29% of cases) and Y (24% of cases) and meningococcus C (
In 2023, among children under 5 years old, 107 cases of invasive meningococcal infection, including 6 deaths, were recorded (3 type B, 1 type W and 2 type Y).
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