Published on : 23 April 20203 min reading time

Generally, the vaccine was created to protect against bacterial diseases. Since time immemorial, it has been found that vaccination policy has greatly reduced the number of illnesses and deaths due to infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the microbes responsible are still present all over the world. That is why the Ministry of Health forces us to be vaccinated against certain diseases. This article can be used as a practical guide to a vaccination schedule.

Vaccination schedule: definition

A vaccination schedule determines the recommended vaccines and the number of injections needed for each person according to their age. This schedule varies from country to country. Each year, each country draws up its own vaccination schedule according to the risk of disease for its population: a vaccination schedule for infants and a vaccination schedule for children and adults. Thanks to vaccination, diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis have now been eradicated in France. However, vaccines against these diseases are still compulsory for infants.

Vaccination calendar for children

According to the immunization schedule for children and adults, the following vaccines are important and recommended to protect against life-threatening diseases. At birth, there is tuberculosis (BCG). At 2 months of age, there is Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis Poliomyelitis (DTcap), Haemophilus Influenzae (hib), Hepatitis B (hep B) and Pneumococcus (nCP). A first injection of these vaccines is recommended for all children. At 3 months of age, a second pneumococcal injection is recommended for children who are at high risk of infection. At 4 months of age, the second booster of DTcap, ib, Hep B and the third booster of nCP. At 9 months, the first injection of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). At 11 months, the third booster for DTcap, ib, Hep B and the last injection for NCP. At 12 months, the second MMR booster and the first dose of meningococcal injection. At 16 to 18 months, the last MMR booster. At 6 years, a booster injection for diphtheria, tetanus, polio is recommended. Between 11 and 13 years of age, the last booster of DTcaP and Hep B is the injection of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Vaccination schedule for adults

Please note that if you have missed a vaccine on the immunization schedule for children and adults, it is best to pick up where you left off and finish the rest. In general, vaccines for adults are booster shots. The following vaccines are recommended for adults. For those who are 16 to 18 years old, a booster of the diphtheria, tetanus, polio vaccine is necessary, so a new injection should be given ten years later. For women of childbearing age, the rubella vaccine is recommended. Finally, for those over 65 years of age, vaccines against influenza, shingles, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough are recommended every year.