In order to prevent invasive meningococcal infections, the cases of which continue to increase, the only way remains vaccination. This can cause undesirable effects. Here is which one.
- Meningococci are bacteria that can cause meningitis or septicemia that can be fatal or leave significant sequelae.
- Vaccination against meningococcus B and acwy meningococci, which has been compulsory for infants since January 1, 2025, remains the only way to protect yourself.
- Vaccines should not be used in the event of an allergy to the active substance or to one of their components.
At the end of February, Public health France had pointed out a “Important resurgence of invasive Meningococcus infections (IIM) during the 2024-2025 season with an exceptionally high number of cases in January 2025 (90 cases, unconsolidized data).” Meningococci are bacteria that can cause very serious illnesses, such as meningitis or septicemia that can be fatal or leave significant sequelae. In France, the most frequent are group B, C, W and Y, according to The Ministry of Health.
A few days after the France public health alert, The Regional Health Agency (ARS) in Brittany announced the launch of a massive vaccination campaign against meningococcus B for young people from the Metropolis of Rennes. In Ille-et-Vilaine, around 100,000 people aged 15 to 24, living or educated or students in Rennes Métropole are thus affected by the system. The reason? Three cases of invasive infection with type B meningococcus in connection with the higher education establishment of Rennes School of Business and three other cases of invasive infection of type B type B declared within a family have been recorded.
What are the Meningococcal vaccine obligations?
Since January 1, 2025, the vaccination of all babies against meningococcus B has been compulsory with three doses at the age of 3 months, 5 months and a recall at 12 months. Same measure for acwy meningococcal vaccine with an injection at the age of 6 months and a 2nd injection at the age of 12 months. In replacement of vaccination against meningococcus C, ACWY tetravalent vaccination has also been compulsory in all infants since the same date with two doses at the age of 6 and 12 months.
“ACWY vaccination has also been recommended since January 1, 2025 to adolescents aged 11 to 14 years, regardless of their previous vaccination. A vaccine catch -up is recommended up to the age of 24 for people who have not yet been vaccinated. In addition, there are special recommendations for meningococcal vaccination for certain populations of population (immunocompromised people or exposed to a risk of iim) “, noted Public health France.
Undesirable effects, contraindications: what to know
As with all drugs and vaccines, those against meningitis can cause side effects. After their administration, a reaction to the injection point, such as redness, pain, swelling, can occur. The vaccine can also be responsible for a fever, irritability, digestive disorders. “The taking of paracetamol, before and six hours after the injection, reduces undesirable effects such as fever, without reducing the effectiveness of the vaccine”, precise The Ministry of Health. Serious allergic reactions can exceptionally occur after vaccination. This is why this one is contraindicated for people with a serious allergy known to one of the components of the vaccine, having been the victim of an anaphylaxis during a previous injection of the vaccine. “In case of doubt in the two aforementioned situations, an allergological consultation is indicated.”
