France steps up vaccination push as anti-vax fears grow in Europe

France is using European Immunisation Week to push a nationwide vaccination campaign to raise protection among adolescents and young adults, while scientists warn that anti-vaccine disinformation seen in the United States could spread across Europe.

As vaccination awareness events continue across Europe this week, France is focusing on meningococcal infections and human papillomavirus (HPV), while nearly 300 leading figures have backed a Pasteur Institute-supported call to fight vaccine disinformation.

Published on Monday to coincide with the start of EU Vaccination Week, the text warns that political tensions around vaccines could undermine public confidence.

Growing concern over vaccine hesitancy in France is linked partly to political debates coming from the United States, signatories say.

“The open letter stems from our community's concern regarding the vaccine hesitancy we are seeing in France, linked to political positions, particularly across the Atlantic,” Brigitte Autran, professor at the Sorbonne University and former head of France's health risk monitoring committee Covars, told public broadcaster FranceInfo.

Disinformation fears

The petition reads: “We are signing this open letter today for all the parents who have questions, for all the citizens troubled by the surrounding noise, for all those searching for a sign of truth amid the cacophony of opinions.

"And here it is: vaccination works. It is safe. It saves lives. One life every eight seconds."

The signatories said vaccines have saved 154 million lives over the past 50 years, citing World Health Organization figures.

Scientists are especially concerned by growing disinformation and attacks on science from the United States and policies under President Donald Trump's administration.

US Health Minister Robert F Kennedy Jr has drawn strong criticism from medical groups over moves that have raised doubts about vaccine safety, cut research funding and weakened disease prevention programmes, even as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in years.

France has long promoted vaccination since Louis Pasteur developed the rabies vaccine in 1885, and several vaccines are mandatory, especially for children.

Since 2017, meeting vaccine requirements has been necessary for admission to childcare and school, while vaccination against ACWY and B meningococcal infections became mandatory in 2025.

Teenage gap

French health authorities say that although vaccination rates for babies remain high, greater progress is needed among adolescents and young adults.

Meningitis, sepsis and septicaemia linked to meningococcal infections are serious illnesses that can be life-threatening and may lead to disabilities including amputations, hearing loss and brain damage.

The Santé Publique France health agency said that in 2025, nearly nine out of 10 babies had received their first ACWY vaccine dose by eight months old.

But only 17.1 percent of 11- to 14-year-olds, 10 percent of 15-year-olds and 7.9 percent of people aged 15 to 24 were vaccinated against ACWY meningococcal disease.

Since September 2025, middle school pupils have been able to receive free ACWY vaccinations in all public schools and some participating private schools.

The other major focus is vaccination against HPV, which is not mandatory but strongly recommended.

HPV and flu

Usually spread by sexual activity, some HPV strains cause genital warts while others can lead to cancers.

In 2025, 61.6 percent of 15-year-old girls received a first HPV vaccine dose, up from 58.4 percent in 2024, while the rate for boys rose to 46 percent from 36.9 percent.

But only 35 percent of girls and 27 percent of boys born in 2012 had received two doses, still far below the government's 80 percent target for 2030.

Measles vaccination targets have also not been fully met, despite the disease circulating again in France since 2024.

SPF says reaching 95 percent coverage for two doses is essential to protect vulnerable groups, including newborns and people receiving cancer treatment.

Flu vaccination rates are also causing concern. “Last year, there were very few vaccinations and an extremely severe flu wave,” Autran told FranceInfo.

Even though flu vaccination has improved slightly, she said levels remain far below those of neighbouring European countries.

“When everything is going well, everyone forgets the benefits of vaccination,” Autran said.