Vaccination Coverage in the PACA Region: Health Professionals Highlight Concerns
Despite slight improvements, vaccination rates in the PACA region remain inadequate for optimal collective protection.
On April 29, 2025, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and its partners presented the 2025 vaccination calendar in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, coinciding with European Vaccination Week.
Health professionals underscored significant concerns regarding vaccination coverage, which, despite minor improvements, continues to fall short of achieving optimal collective immunity.
A comprehensive assessment conducted by regional stakeholders revealed varying vaccination rates across different demographic groups:
Early Childhood: The immunization campaigns against bronchiolitis have shown success, with coverage at 75% in maternity wards and 50% in outpatient settings, resulting in a notable reduction in epidemic impact.
However, measles has seen a resurgence in viral circulation.
Current vaccination coverage stands at 94% for the first dose and 86% for the second dose, both below the 95% threshold necessary to effectively halt transmission.
Cases of meningococcal disease have risen sharply, with 25 reported cases in early 2025, prompting the extension of mandatory vaccinations to include serogroups ACWY and B. While there has been notable progress in the uptake of the B vaccine, reaching 49%, coverage remains inadequate.
Adolescents: There has been an increase in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in 2023, with a rise of up to 24 percentage points among girls.
Nevertheless, participation has declined in 2024-2025, resulting in a modest overall coverage of 40% for girls and only 18% for boys by age 16. Prevention stakeholders emphasize the critical role of schools in monitoring vaccination status, particularly with new vaccination obligations set to take effect in 2025 for meningococcal ACWY and B.
Older Adults and At-Risk Patients: The region experienced a severe flu epidemic during the 2024-2025 season, with vaccination coverage recorded at a low 43%.
Among hospitalized cases deemed severe, only 20% of at-risk patients had been vaccinated.
New recommendations have been issued advocating for vaccination against pneumococcus, shingles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for older adults starting at ages 65 or 75.
To address these challenges, several initiatives have been implemented in the region to enhance vaccination efforts.
These include strengthened governance, mobilization of health professionals, collaboration with the education system, and engagement with the national health insurance.
Additionally, targeted vaccination campaigns in schools for HPV and meningococcal vaccinations are planned, alongside outreach efforts aimed at vulnerable populations through mediation teams.
Health partners have acknowledged the need to better understand the underlying causes of low vaccination coverage in both France and the PACA region.
Health professionals underscored significant concerns regarding vaccination coverage, which, despite minor improvements, continues to fall short of achieving optimal collective immunity.
A comprehensive assessment conducted by regional stakeholders revealed varying vaccination rates across different demographic groups:
Early Childhood: The immunization campaigns against bronchiolitis have shown success, with coverage at 75% in maternity wards and 50% in outpatient settings, resulting in a notable reduction in epidemic impact.
However, measles has seen a resurgence in viral circulation.
Current vaccination coverage stands at 94% for the first dose and 86% for the second dose, both below the 95% threshold necessary to effectively halt transmission.
Cases of meningococcal disease have risen sharply, with 25 reported cases in early 2025, prompting the extension of mandatory vaccinations to include serogroups ACWY and B. While there has been notable progress in the uptake of the B vaccine, reaching 49%, coverage remains inadequate.
Adolescents: There has been an increase in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in 2023, with a rise of up to 24 percentage points among girls.
Nevertheless, participation has declined in 2024-2025, resulting in a modest overall coverage of 40% for girls and only 18% for boys by age 16. Prevention stakeholders emphasize the critical role of schools in monitoring vaccination status, particularly with new vaccination obligations set to take effect in 2025 for meningococcal ACWY and B.
Older Adults and At-Risk Patients: The region experienced a severe flu epidemic during the 2024-2025 season, with vaccination coverage recorded at a low 43%.
Among hospitalized cases deemed severe, only 20% of at-risk patients had been vaccinated.
New recommendations have been issued advocating for vaccination against pneumococcus, shingles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for older adults starting at ages 65 or 75.
To address these challenges, several initiatives have been implemented in the region to enhance vaccination efforts.
These include strengthened governance, mobilization of health professionals, collaboration with the education system, and engagement with the national health insurance.
Additionally, targeted vaccination campaigns in schools for HPV and meningococcal vaccinations are planned, alongside outreach efforts aimed at vulnerable populations through mediation teams.
Health partners have acknowledged the need to better understand the underlying causes of low vaccination coverage in both France and the PACA region.
