Impact of mandatory vaccination extension on infant vaccine coverages: Promising preliminary results

Med Mal Infect. 2019 Feb;49(1):34-37. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2018.10.004. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Abstract

Objective: In France infant vaccines protecting against 11 diseases have changed from a recommended to a mandatory status for all children born on or after January 1, 2018. Using the Vaccinoscopie survey, we measured the impact of this new vaccination policy on vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) and on mothers' perception of vaccination.

Methods: Online survey with 1000 mothers of 0- to 11-month-old infants.

Results: VCRs for at least one dose at the age of 6 months strongly progressed for diseases that previously did not meet Public Health objectives (+8 points for Hepatitis B and +31 points for meningococcal C vaccines). Mothers were more favorable to mandatory vaccination and better informed in 2018 than in 2017.

Conclusion: These first results showed a positive impact of the extension of mandatory vaccination on mothers' opinion regarding vaccination and on infant VCRs.

Keywords: Couverture vaccinale; Mandatory vaccination; Vaccination coverage; Vaccination obligatoire.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Internet
  • Mandatory Programs* / organization & administration
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Mothers / statistics & numerical data
  • Pilot Projects
  • Public Health / standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vaccination Coverage* / methods
  • Vaccination Coverage* / organization & administration
  • Vaccination Coverage* / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination* / methods
  • Vaccination* / psychology
  • Vaccination* / standards
  • Vaccination* / statistics & numerical data