France’s public health authority has issued a rapid health alert regarding the closing dates for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization campaign, raising questions about the timing of maternal vaccinations. The Direction Générale de la Santé (DGS) announced February 20th as the deadline for metropolitan France, with Guadeloupe and Martinique following on March 31st, and Mayotte extending to May 31st.
However, the alert too suggests a potential misstep in planning. According to InfoVac, a resource for healthcare professionals, the maternal vaccination should have been halted several weeks prior to these deadlines to allow sufficient time for antibody transfer to the newborn, ensuring optimal protection. The bulletin questions whether this delay in interrupting vaccinations may have resulted in unnecessary expenditure.
The InfoVac bulletin also highlights the crucial link between vaccination and antibiotic resistance. A recent report from the World Alliance Against Antibiotic Resistance (WAAAR), titled “Controlling Antibiotic Resistance,” emphasizes that widespread vaccination against diseases like pneumococcal disease, measles, influenza, RSV, and varicella can significantly reduce the need for antibiotic prescriptions. France, the report notes, remains one of the highest consumers of antibiotics in Europe, with prescription rates increasing in 2024.
InfoVac also addressed questions from healthcare providers regarding the timing of vaccinations for infants born to mothers vaccinated against pertussis during pregnancy. The bulletin suggests a revised vaccination schedule, taking into account the potential for “blunting” – a reduction in the infant’s immune response due to the presence of maternal antibodies. The proposed schedule adjusts the timing of vaccinations containing the pertussis component to optimize immune response.
the bulletin acknowledged reports of varicella (chickenpox) occurring in vaccinated children, even shortly after vaccination. While rare, these “breakthrough” cases, identified as originating from the vaccine strain, do occur. InfoVac confirms that a second dose of the vaccine is still recommended to boost immunity.
InfoVac reported receiving over 25,000 inquiries from healthcare professionals in 2025, demonstrating the growing reliance on the organization for guidance on vaccination practices. The results of a recent InfoVac survey concerning adult pneumococcal vaccination will be presented in a future bulletin. The bulletin also noted the availability of ShotBlocker, a low-cost device designed to reduce vaccination pain, citing a meta-analysis confirming its effectiveness.
