Adults warned on vaccinations
Doctors urge people to ensure they are up to date with their “jabs” during European Immunisation Week
ARE YOU up to date with your vaccinations?
That’s the question doctors in France are asking during the eighth European Immunisation Week.
It’s also a question that many adults struggle to answer. In 2010, during the last INPES “Health Barometer” check, 20% of French people aged between 15 and 79 were not up to date with their “jabs”.
Doctors have warned it’s important for everyone to stay up to date with the necessary injections - especially as a number of serious diseases are on the rise again.
Immunisations administered in childhood against diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) should be updated at 25, 45 and 65 and then every 10 years after 75, health officials say.
Authorities also recommend that anyone born after 1980 should make sure they have received two doses of the vaccine against measles - given these days as part of the modern MMR jab.
In addition, anyone who is in regular contact with young children is urged to have a booster against whooping cough at 25. In 2012, 63% of children treated for whooping cough contracted the serious illness from their parents.
Health minister Marisol Touraine also reminded girls aged between 11 and 14 to ensure they have the HPV vaccine to reduce the risk of certain cancers in later years.
A new electronic system for registering and monitoring vaccinations is being tested in the Aquitaine region.
The MesVaccins.net website is designed to help patients and health professionals to better manage a vaccination schedule over many years.
European Immunisation Week started on Tuesday and runs until Saturday.
