Is adult whooping cough vaccine in France covered by social security?

Reader Question: My sister is pregnant and as close family members we are being advised to get whooping cough vaccine top-ups. Is this covered by social security in France or do I need to pay full costs?

France has a robust vaccine calendar that includes occasional top-ups of the whooping cough (coqueluche) vaccine every 20 years for adults until age 65, starting at age 25.

After 65, a top-up every ten years is recommended. 

During periods of an epidemic extra caution is advised. 

A notification of a notable increase in the disease among babies was put out last year by health quality watchdog Haute Autorité de la Santé, with advice that whooping cough vaccines were recommended for those who have not received a top-up in the last five years, and who are likely to be around babies.

There has been no specific statement to the effect the situation has returned to normal, so this is likely to still be advisable. 

Otherwise, whooping cough is also one of the mandatory vaccines for babies in France (at two months) and pregnant women are expected to be vaccinated during pregnancy if in line for a top-up – or if they are not, then they must be vaccinated in the hospital before leaving the maternity ward. 

Generally, if you have not received this vaccine within the timeframe and you will be in close contact with a baby it is recommended that you get a top-up, even if the baby’s mother is to be vaccinated.

To get a vaccination, you are usually asked to present your vaccination card (carnet de vaccination), if you have one. 

Some pharmacists are qualified to administer this vaccination without a doctor’s prescription, if they are satisfied your situation requires it. 

Otherwise, you can make an appointment for a standard consultation with a GP (€30 if they do not charge extra fees), explain the situation, and they will give you a prescription for a vaccination. 

However, you will have to take a second appointment to ask them to do the injection, or otherwise ask a nurse, midwife or pharmacist.

Majority of costs covered 

A whooping cough vaccine is partially covered by social security (Assurance Maladie), provided you are signed up to the system. 

• 65% of the cost of the vaccine (around €22)

• Between 60% to 70% of the cost of the injection appointment (higher rates for going to midwives, doctors, and pharmacists, lower for nurses)

The remaining amount is usually covered by your top-up insurance (mutuelle), although you should check your policy. Otherwise, you may have a small out-of-pocket expense.

Note that some vaccines, such as those required for travelling abroad (including for yellow fever) are not covered by social security, and others are covered at a 100% rate (such as Covid-19 top-ups and winter flu shots for certain demographics).

Some mutuelles fully or partially cover vaccines not reimbursed by social security, whereas others do not.