the 6 determinants of vaccination in children aged 5 to 11

In France, only 1 child aged 5 to 11 at risk of severe form of infection in 13 was vaccinated against Covid-19 over the period 2021 – 2023. On average, only 1 child in 20 received at least one dose of vaccine. In total, according to the Public Health France study, published Tuesday December 10, 320,737 children aged 5 to 11 had received at least one dose of vaccine, or 5.3% of this segment of the population. And only 7.8% of children at risk of severe forms were vaccinated.

Drawing on the National Health Data System (SNDS) and the Covid Vaccine information system, the health agency describes in its study the use of vaccines against Covid-19 in children. What are the determinants that characterize vaccinated children and those who are not?

The determinants of “at least one dose” vaccination in children aged 5 to 11 are as follows:

• higher age of the child: more than 80% of vaccinated children were 8 years and older, the average age was 9.4 years.
• residing in the Great West, particularly in Normandy (7.8%), Brittany (7.8%) and Pays-de-la-Loire (7.2%);
• the presence of comorbidities or risky medical situations;
• moderate prematurity (32 to 36 weeks of amenorrhea);
• vaccination of the mother;
• the presence of comorbidities in the mother (obesity and diabetes).

The determinants negatively associated, and in a very marked way, with childhood vaccination are the fact of residing in the South-East – Corsica (1.8%), in Occitanie (3.7%) and in the Paca region. (2.7%) – as well as living in a socially disadvantaged household. According to Public Health France, the geographical variations observed could reflect the vaccination status of the parents, because “the adult vaccination rate varied similarly.”

Overall, these low vaccination numbers highlight “a failure of the vaccination strategy in children with comorbidity, with regional and social disparities observed”. Ils “confirm the need for additional awareness-raising efforts and information for families on vaccination, particularly among children from disadvantaged backgrounds and suffering from chronic illnesses, with a view to improving confidence in vaccines and increasing the rate of vaccination for future campaigns”.

Source: Weekly epidemiological bulletin from Public Health France of December 10, 2024