[Adult immunization in France: an update]

Abstract

French immunisation schedule recommends tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccine every 10 years and influenza every year after the age of 65. Several other vaccinations related to occupational health are implemented. Travellers or immunocompromised people who could be exposed to infections need some other vaccinations, too. Pneumoccocal vaccine coverage is insufficient. Reinforcing diphteria immunization is considered, using a recently licensed combined vaccine. Maintenance of immunity against "childhood infectious diseases" preventable with vaccinations is a new challenge; measles, rubella and pertussis occur now quite often in adults: the risk of complications is higher in these ages (measles), or expose to specific risk (rubella in pregnant women); adults may even become the source of the contamination of younger people (many infants affected with whooping cough have contracted the disease from their own parents). The immunisation against these diseases should be prosecuted in adults. Related with the development of more efficacious new vaccines, the indications of pneumococcus, meningococcus or varicella vaccines should be defined in some populations of adults. Immunization policy of adults should be revised in order to continue the vaccination program of childhood. Some infections that may affect adults should be prevented by improving vaccine application. A real adult immunisation schedule and recommendations should be set up towards populations at risk of preventable infections. The implementation of these recommendations should be reinforced.