Meningococcal Vaccination: Catch-Up Schedule for Children (2020-2022)

France has expanded coverage for catch-up vaccinations against meningococcal disease for children born in 2020, 2021, and 2022, making these vaccines more accessible to those who weren’t initially eligible for mandatory vaccination. This decision, based on recommendations from the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) in March and July 2025, responds to a continued increase in invasive meningococcal infections observed in 2023 and 2024. The expanded coverage includes reimbursement of 65% of the vaccine cost, along with approval for local authorities to contribute.

Meningococcal Vaccination: Catch-Up for Children Over 2 Years Old

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning). It can lead to severe complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, and even death. There are several different serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria that can cause the disease, with groups A, C, W-135, Y, and B being the most common.

MENVEO is approved for utilize in children from 2 years old, adolescents, and adults at risk of exposure to serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y. BEXSERO is indicated for those 2 months and older, protecting against group B meningococcal infections. The recent expansion of coverage focuses on ensuring children born in 2020, 2021, and 2022 have access to protection against these serogroups, particularly those who may not have been vaccinated previously or who received vaccination only against serogroup C.

For children over 2 years old who are part of this catch-up program, the recommended vaccination schedule is straightforward: one dose of a vaccine protecting against serogroups ACWY, and two doses of the vaccine against group B, spaced one month apart.

This move builds on the existing mandatory vaccination policy, which requires vaccination against meningococcal ACWY and B for all children born from January 2025 onwards. The temporary catch-up program aims to address the vulnerability of those slightly older children who weren’t initially included in the mandatory scheme.

Why the Catch-Up Now?

The decision to implement this catch-up program is directly linked to a concerning rise in invasive meningococcal infections (IIM) in France during 2023 and 2024. The HAS issued its recommendations in response to this observed increase, recognizing the need to proactively protect a wider age group. A similar extension of coverage was recently approved for the Nimenrix vaccine, further demonstrating the commitment to bolstering protection against meningococcal disease.

Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent meningococcal disease. While the disease is relatively rare due to widespread vaccination programs, it can progress rapidly and have devastating consequences. The FDA emphasizes the importance of vaccines in preventing serious infectious diseases, noting that many vaccine-preventable diseases are now uncommon in the United States thanks to high vaccination rates. You can uncover more information about vaccines for children on the FDA website.

Understanding Vaccine Schedules and Serogroups

Vaccination schedules can sometimes seem complex, and understanding the different serogroups is crucial. The CDC provides detailed immunization schedules for children, outlining recommended vaccines and the ages at which they should be administered. The CDC’s easy-to-read schedule is a helpful resource for parents and caregivers.

The distinction between the different serogroups – A, B, C, W-135, and Y – is important as vaccines are often serogroup-specific. This means a vaccine designed to protect against serogroup A may not provide protection against serogroup B. Comprehensive vaccination strategies often involve multiple vaccines to cover the most common and dangerous serogroups.

What Does This Mean for Parents?

If your child was born in 2020, 2021, or 2022 and hasn’t been fully vaccinated against meningococcal disease, you should discuss the catch-up vaccination program with your pediatrician. They can assess your child’s vaccination history and determine the appropriate schedule. It’s important to remember that even if your child has received some protection against meningococcal disease, this catch-up program ensures they are fully protected against all relevant serogroups.

The success of vaccination programs relies on high uptake rates. As the FDA points out, when vaccination rates decline, there is a risk of resurgence of diseases that were once rare or eliminated. Maintaining high vaccination coverage is essential to protect not only individual children but also the community as a whole.

Looking Ahead: Ongoing Surveillance and Guidance Updates

The HAS will continue to monitor the incidence of invasive meningococcal infections in France and will update its recommendations as needed. Public health surveillance is a critical component of disease prevention, allowing authorities to identify outbreaks, track trends, and adjust vaccination strategies accordingly. The ongoing evaluation of vaccine effectiveness and the emergence of modern serogroups will also inform future guidance.

Parents and caregivers should stay informed about the latest recommendations from public health authorities and consult with their healthcare providers to ensure their children are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations.