Vaccination coverage in the PACA region: professionals draw up a worrying report

Despite slight improvements, vaccination coverage in the PACA region remains largely insufficient to achieve optimal collective protection.

Regional stakeholders, under the leadership of the Regional Health Agency (ARS), are mobilizing to raise awareness and improve access to vaccination, a major lever for public health, at all stages of life.

They draw up an inventory by population:

Early childhood

Bronchiolitis: success of immunization campaigns (75% in maternity wards, 50% in the city), with a notable reduction in the epidemic impact.

Measles: Resumption of viral circulation. Vaccination coverage remains below the 95% required to interrupt transmission (94% one dose, 86% two doses).

Meningococcus: sharp increase in cases in early 2025 (25 cases). Extension of mandatory vaccination to serogroups ACWY and B. Significant progress for vaccine B (49%), but coverage still insufficient.

Teenagers

Human papillomavirus (HPV): Increase in coverage in 2023 (up to +24 points among girls), but decline in participation in 2024-2025. Coverage remains modest (40% of girls, 18% of boys at age 16).

Prevention professionals point to the central role of schools in verifying vaccination status, as new requirements come into effect in 2025 (vaccination against meningococcus ACWY and B). "Regular medical examinations in schools make it possible to monitor vaccinations and provide guidance to families."

Elderly people and patients at risk:

Influenza: Severe epidemic in 2024-2025, with vaccination coverage still too low (43%). Only 20% of at-risk patients among hospitalized severe cases were vaccinated.

New recommendations: vaccination against pneumococcus, shingles and RSV from age 65 or 75.

Several measures are also being implemented in the region to promote vaccination: strengthened governance, mobilization of health professionals, National Education and Health Insurance, etc.

"We will also strengthen vaccination campaigns in secondary schools (HPV and meningococcus) and carry out targeted actions towards vulnerable groups via mediation teams," the partners quote, before discussing the need to better understand the causes of low vaccination coverage in France (and in the Paca region in particular).