The government plans to organize “a combined HPV-Meningococcal campaign” in French colleges due to a resumption of the circulation of these bacteria, which constitute the major causes of acute meningitis.
- “Recent epidemiological data show a resumption of the circulation of meningococci in France and simultaneously an evolution of the strains,” according to the government.
- In response to the increase in infections, he plans to extend the vaccination campaign against papillomavirus to middle schools, to “simultaneously” vaccinate students against meningococci.
- This measure, proposed for the year 2025-2026, implies that “the meningococcal vaccine “will be 100% reimbursed by Health Insurance”, which was not the case until now.
Since the start of the school year, 5th grade students can, just like last year, subject to the written agreement of both parents, be vaccinated free of charge against the papillomavirus, which is responsible for many cancers (cervix, vulva , vagina, ENT, anus, etc.), within their college. For the year 2025-2026, the government plans to extend this HPV vaccination campaign. Indeed, on October 28, the executive tabled an amendment to the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS) for 2025. According to this text, it proposes to vaccinate “simultaneously” middle school students against the papillomavirus and against invasive meningococcal infections.
Meningococci: “a resumption of circulation” and “an evolution of strains”
The reason? “Recent epidemiological data show a resumption of the circulation of meningococci in France and simultaneously an evolution of the strains.” As a reminder, these bacteria, the most common in France are groups B, C, W and Y, are normally present in the throat and nose of many people. If, most often, meningococci, which are transmitted through the air or through saliva, do not cause any particular pathologies, in some they can “cause very serious illnesses such as meningitis or septicemia which can be fatal or leave significant after-effects”, signals the Ministry of Health.
“A “vaccine” dose against serogroups A, C, W, Y” for “adolescents aged 11 to 14”
Since the “co-administration” vaccines is possible, the government suggests organizing “a combined HPV-Meningococcus campaign”. According to the recommendations of the High Authority of Health (HAS), it is preferable to “vaccinate, according to a one-dose schedule, adolescents aged 11 to 14 years against serogroups A, C, W, Y, regardless of their previous vaccination status.” Until now, the meningococcal vaccine was only 65% covered by Health Insurance and the rest was often reimbursed by complementary health insurance. However, within the framework of this future measure, the latter “will be reimbursed 100% by Health Insurance”, just like that of the papillomavirus, according to the Ministry of Health.
