One in two adults is not protected against diphtheria, polio and tetanus. Vaccination omissions that can have serious consequences on his health and that of those close to him.
Between compulsory and recommended vaccines, there is something to get lost in the French vaccination schedule. Internationally, the situation is not simpler. And yet, keeping your vaccination record up to date is essential to protect yourself from certain infectious diseases. It is also the only way to eradicate certain viruses from the surface of the Earth. On the occasion of World Immunization Week, the World Health Organization (WHO) is emphasizing this point. The French health authorities also recall the importance of good vaccination coverage.
Children well protected
In France, infants are rather well protected against infectious diseases. The Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS) had noted a drop in the use of vaccination at the beginning of 2015. But this delay was made up in the following months, he now reveals. Unexpected effect of the shortage of 5-valent vaccines, usually distributed, protection against hepatitis B has even increased. It thus reaches 96% in infants.
Dr Daniel Lévy-Bruhl, epidemiologist at InVS: “ In the context of supply tensions, there has been some postponement of vaccination. Seeing that the situation continued, they continued with the available vaccine.. “
Little serious adults
From adolescence, vaccination coverage begins to drop, while risky behaviors multiply. The gap is particularly obvious in the protection against group C meningococci: 70% of infants are protected against only 23% of 15-19 year olds and 5.4% of 19-24 year olds.
Vaccination against diphtheria, polio and tetanus (DT polio) is compulsory up to the age of 13. Immunization coverage then drops sharply. “Our 2012 survey shows that we are witnessing stability compared to the previous decade,” explains Daniel Lévy-Bruhl. Only one in two adults is up to date with their vaccinations. The epidemiologist hopes that the new scheme, introduced in 2013, will improve things. It sets the reminders at a fixed age: 25, 45 and 65, then every 10 years.
Travel makes it difficult
These oversights can be a problem when it comes to leaving Europe. In international vaccination centers, doctors check the health record as much as possible. This document is part of the papers requested, along with the identity card. “If the person comes without a document, which happens quite frequently due to an oversight or a loss, we can however try to overcome this problem,” explains Dr Philippe Simian, physician director of the International Vaccination Center of Air France. The first step is to appeal to the memories of the traveler. Depending on the responses, boosters may be prescribed and initial vaccinations established.
Dr Philippe Simian, Director of the Air France international vaccination center: ” If the person no longer remembers having been vaccinated against hepatitis A or B, serology may be requested.. “
The basic checks concern the DT-Polio and the French vaccination schedule. In some areas, in intertropical Africa and Latin America, the vaccine against yellow fever is also required. “Tetravalent meningitis is compulsory for the pilgrimage to Mecca,” says Dr. Simian. Without this vaccination, the visa is not issued. Apart from that, vaccines are strongly recommended, but payable at borders.
Dr Philippe Simian : ” The businessman who spends two days in Africa for a conference and who will travel between the hotel and the convention center will have different advice from the humanitarian who leaves for six months in India. “
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