Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B
Verified 06 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Vaccination against hepatitis A and B allows effective prevention. It is recommended for some people and mandatory in some cases. These rules apply to all persons residing in France, regardless of their nationality. We present you the information to know.
Hep A
Several situations are possible:
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General case
Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended in one of these situations:
- Youth welcomed in institutions and services for children and youth with disabilities
- Person with cystic fibrosis
- People with liver disease that can become chronic (including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or excessive alcohol consumption)
- Child from 1 year of age, born to a family in which at least one of the members is from a country where infection is frequent and may be required to stay
- Man having sex with men.
Relationship of a person infected with hepatitis A
In the presence of one or more confirmed cases of hepatitis A, vaccination is recommended for the following people:
- Family circle of a person with hepatitis A (or for any person living under the same roof)
- Community living in a precarious hygiene situation.
Professionals with risk of contamination
Vaccination is recommended for the following professionals at risk of contamination:
- Caring for children under the age of cleanliness (examples: childminders, nursery staff)
- Working in collective reception structures for people with disabilities
- Responsible for the treatment of wastewater and sewers
- Involved in food preparation in collective catering (canteens).
Travelers who must stay in a country where hygiene is poor
Vaccination is recommended for travelers to a country where hygiene is poor, particularly for people with chronic liver disease and cystic fibrosis.
It is recommended from the age of 1 year.
The risk of contracting hepatitis A is very high in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America.
You need to see a doctor to get a prescription and then buy the vaccine from a pharmacy.
Vaccination can be done in particular :
- To the doctor
- In a dispensary
- In a maternal and child protection center
- In a free vaccination center
- In a free information, screening and diagnosis center (CeGIDD).
Your town hall can provide you with the addresses of these organizations.
Other health professionals (example: a midwife) may prescribe and administer this vaccine.
Please note
If you are vaccinating your child, the vaccine should be written on the child's health record.
Cost of the vaccine
Hepatitis A vaccine is reimbursed to 65% by the Health Insurance for people at risk.
FYI
The remaining amount is usually refunded by the mutual.
Cost of injection
The vaccine injection is reimbursed by the Health Insurance when it is carried out by:
- A doctor or midwife up to 70%
- A nurse up to 60%.
FYI
The mutual can also take care of the rest.
The injection of the vaccine can be managed at 100% for people with certain long-term conditions (ALD) or in the framework of maternity insurance from 6e month of pregnancy.
The injection of the vaccine is free of charge in a public facility (health clinic, mother and child protection center, free vaccination center).
If you notice an adverse effect on the state of health, following the vaccination, you can report it on the portal "Health reporting ":
Hepatitis B
Vaccination against hepatitis B is mandatory for children born from 1er January 2018. Catch-up vaccination is recommended up to 15 years of age.
Some people more exposed that others at risk of HBV transmission of hepatitis B should be protected:
- Child or adolescent admitted to services and institutions for children and youth with disabilities
- Preschool children in the community (examples: nursery, specialized institution)
- Hepatitis B surrogate newborn, newborn in Guyana or Mayotte
- Child or adult admitted to psychiatric institutions
- People who have sex with multiple partners, are exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or have an ongoing or recent STI
- Drug addict using intravenous or intranasal drugs
- Traveler in medium or high endemic countries
- Person who is required to reside in areas of medium or high endemic
- Person who can be transfused or receive blood products (hemophiliacs, dialysis, renal failure...)
- A candidate for an organ, tissue or cell transplant
- A person close to someone with acute or chronic hepatitis B (a person living under the same roof)
- Sexual partner of a person infected with hepatitis B virus or chronic carrier of the virus
- An inmate who may have a number of cumulative exposure factors to hepatitis B virus
- Person with chronic liver disease
- A person infected with HIV or hepatitis C virus.
A person who, in a public or private institution or body for the prevention of care or housing elderly persons, occupational activity exposing it to contamination risks must be immune to hepatitis B. The same applies to pupils or students of an establishment preparing to practice certain health professions.
FYI
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or your occupational doctor, depending on your situation.
In addition, vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for persons who, in the context ofprofessional or volunteer activities can be in direct contact with patients and/or be exposed to blood and other biologics.
This can be either directly (direct contact, projections) or indirectly (handling and transport of medical devices, biological samples, laundry, waste). Examples: liberal health professionals, first responders, prison guards, garbage collectors, sewers, police officers, tattooers.
You need to see a doctor to get a prescription and then buy the vaccine from a pharmacy.
Vaccination can be done:
- To the doctor
- In pharmacy
- At the hospital
- In a medical biology laboratory
- In a maternal and child protection center
- In a public vaccination center
- In a free information, screening and diagnosis center (CeGIDD)
Your town hall can provide you with the addresses of these organizations.
Other health professionals (example: a midwife) may prescribe and administer this vaccine.
Please note
If you are vaccinating your child, the vaccine should be written on the child's health record.
Cost of the vaccine
Prescription hepatitis B vaccine is reimbursed to 65% by the Health Insurance.
FYI
The remaining amount is usually refunded by the mutual.
Cost of injection
The vaccine injection is reimbursed by the Health Insurance when it is carried out by:
- A doctor or midwife up to 70%
- A nurse up to 60%.
FYI
The mutual can also take care of the rest.
The injection of the vaccine can be managed at 100% for people with certain long-term conditions (ALD) or in the framework of maternity insurance from 6e month of pregnancy.
The injection of the vaccine is free of charge in a public facility (health clinic, mother and child protection center, free vaccination center).
If you notice an adverse effect on the state of health, following the vaccination, you can report it on the portal "Health reporting ":
Hepatitis C
There is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
Only blood tests allow to screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Hepatitis Info Service
Anonymous information, welcome and guidance on hepatitis. The service can refer to specialized legal or medical training providers for support and follow-up.
By phone
From France: 0,800,845,800 (free call and service, from a landline or mobile phone. This call is anonymous and confidential)
From 8am to 11pm, 7 days a week
From the foreigner: 00 33 1 41 83 42 78 (cost of the caller's call)
By individual livechat
By logging in to the opening hours: 9am to 11pm
Persons concerned
Online service
Ministry of Health
Aids Info Service
Aids Info Service
National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam)