A new vaccination offered to 5th grade students

Most often, meningococci do not cause the appearance of a particularly severe disease. However, in some cases, these bacteria cause a serious illness, such as meningitis or sepsis, which can leave serious sequelae or even be fatal.

These infections affect especially adolescents and young adults. Vaccination against ACWY meningococcal infections is therefore recommended for young people aged 11 to 14 years. This recommendation applies to all people in this age group, including those who were given ACWY vaccine or meningococcal C vaccine before the age of 11.

In 2024, the number of meningococcal infections increased in France with 615 reported cases (compared to an average of 500 cases per year); this is the highest number of cases since 2010.

Given this increase and the potential severity of these infections, students of 5^e be offered vaccination against ACWY-type meningococcal infections in all public colleges under the Ministry of National Education and in private voluntary contract colleges. This vaccination will be 100% coverage by the Health Insurance.

Information sessions will be organized at the start of the school year for parents and pupils of 5^e.

How will the vaccination campaign be organized in colleges?

As in the previous 2 school years, it will also be offered to students of 5^e voluntary public colleges and private institutions vaccinate against human papillomavirus infections (HPV). This vaccination, which protects against most HPVs that cause cancer (cervical cancer, certain throat cancers, etc.), is particularly recommended for all young girls and boys aged 11 to 14.

Vaccination sessions in colleges take place between January and June.

For human papillomavirus infections, the vaccination schedule consists of 2 doses. Vaccination is spread over 2 consecutive school years, with a maximum delay of 13 months between the 2 doses.

Vaccination against invasive meningococcal ACWY infections, which requires a single dose, may be performed in either of these 2 years.

It will be possible to receive, at the same session, the ACWY meningococcal vaccine and one of the 2 doses of the HPV vaccine.

Like vaccination against meningococcal infections, vaccination against human papillomavirus infections is 100% covered by the Health Insurance and requires the written consent of the 2 holders of parental authority.