The chickenpox vaccine for babies is not currently recommended routinely in France. That could change: on 7 October 2026, the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS, France's national health authority) published the scoping note for its review of universal vaccination of infants from 12 months of age. Its final recommendation is expected in September 2027.
Until then, the current rules apply. Here is what this official document contains, what has changed since the opinions of 2004 and 2007, and what it means for parents.
Chickenpox vaccine for babies: what the HAS has announced
The HAS took up the subject on its own initiative and added it to its 2025 work programme. The scoping note, dated 7 October 2026, sets out the scope of the assessment. It does not yet contain a recommendation.
The question being asked is this: should France introduce universal chickenpox vaccination for infants aged 12 months and over? The assessment will also look at possible catch-up vaccination for children aged 2 to 12 with no history of chickenpox.
It will be based on seven criteria:
- the burden of the disease in France;
- the benefits and risks of the vaccines;
- the values and preferences of the population;
- the cost and cost-effectiveness of the strategy;
- ethical and equity issues;
- feasibility, including the impact on the vaccination schedule;
- acceptability to stakeholders.
It is addressed to the public authorities, in particular the Ministry of Health, which decides on the vaccination schedule.
Why France did not vaccinate infants
The question is not new. On 19 March 2004, the Conseil supérieur d'hygiène publique (France's former public health advisory council) advised against universal vaccination of infants. In 2007, the Haut Conseil de la santé publique (High Council for Public Health) upheld this position.
At the time, mathematical modelling raised fears of two indirect effects, which the HAS recalls:
- a shift of the disease towards adulthood, when it is more serious, if vaccination coverage remained insufficient, at 80% or less;
- a temporary rise in shingles over several decades, due to the lack of natural contact with the virus, which keeps immunity topped up.
According to the HAS, real-world data now cover long periods in the countries that vaccinate infants. These data call some of the conclusions of that modelling into question and justify the review.
Who is vaccinated against chickenpox today?
According to the 2025 vaccination schedule, cited by the HAS, vaccination is recommended only for certain groups:
- adolescents aged 12 to 18 with no clinical history of chickenpox, or whose history is uncertain;
- women of childbearing age with no history of chickenpox, particularly if they are planning a pregnancy;
- women with no history of chickenpox following a first pregnancy;
- people with no history of chickenpox and a negative blood test, who are in close contact with immunocompromised people;
- people awaiting a solid organ transplant, under certain conditions.
Infants are not on this list. To find out which vaccines are compulsory and recommended before the age of 3, read our article on your baby's vaccination schedule.
Which vaccines are available for children?
Two single-component vaccines are available in France: Varilrix and Varivax. They received their marketing authorisation on 26 December 2003. They are indicated from 12 months of age, or even 9 months during an outbreak.
They are live attenuated vaccines. They are contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases of severe immune deficiency. The schedule consists of two doses, with no booster:
- four to eight weeks apart for Varivax;
- six to ten weeks apart for Varilrix.
Two vaccines combined with measles, mumps and rubella also exist: Priorix-Tetra and ProQuad. They are authorised but, according to the HAS, they are not currently marketed in France.
Chickenpox in France: the HAS figures
The scoping note draws on data from the Sentinelles network of general practitioners:
- nearly 600,000 cases occur in France every year;
- 449,033 cases were estimated in 2024;
- in 2025, the incidence is estimated at 348 cases per 100,000 inhabitants;
- the median age of patients is 4;
- 90% of the population has been infected before the age of 9.
Incidence has been falling since the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, the HAS notes an increase in sales of chickenpox vaccines since 2020, especially among 0–12-year-olds. This preliminary analysis, based on unpublished data, suggests that children's vaccination is already rising without a general recommendation.
In 98% of cases, the infection causes no complications. Over 2010–2025, complications accounted for 1.9% of reported cases in children under 5. The most common are skin infections caused by scratching. Severe forms mainly affect adults, newborns and immunocompromised people.
What are other countries doing?
According to an initial search by the HAS, a chickenpox vaccination programme exists in 13 European Union countries:
- Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Spain, Finland, Greece and Hungary;
- Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia.
This is also the case in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States and Australia. Vaccination is compulsory in three countries. The United States introduced it as early as 1995, adding a second dose in 2007.
When will the decision be made?
The provisional timetable has been revised to include modelling work. The steps announced by the HAS are as follows:
- first review by the technical vaccination committee: 15 June 2027;
- one-month public consultation: July 2027;
- second review by the committee: 14 September 2027;
- review by the HAS Board (Collège): September 2027.
A working group will bring together community and PMI (France's mother and child health service) paediatricians, GPs, epidemiologists, hospital doctors and patient representatives.
In the meantime, what should you do if your baby has chickenpox?
The Assurance Maladie (French national health insurance) sets out what to do on its page updated on 25 March 2026:
- for fever, give paracetamol unless there is a contraindication, at a dose suited to your baby's weight. Our article on paracetamol dosage by weight explains how to calculate it;
- no ibuprofen or ketoprofen: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are contraindicated with chickenpox. No aspirin either;
- the skin: a shower twice a day with a gentle product, patting dry without rubbing, and no talc or non-prescribed cream;
- keep nails short, to limit scratching and scarring. Our article on cutting your baby's nails shows you how.
Seek medical advice the same day if your child is under 6 months old, has a chronic skin condition or an immune deficiency. Call 15 or 112 in the event of a change in behaviour, high fever, balance problems or confusion. Our article on fever in infants lists the other warning signs.
Let the nursery or childminder know. The Assurance Maladie advises keeping your child at home until the spots have crusted over. To help you get organised, read our article on a sick baby at nursery.
If you have questions about vaccinating your child, talk to your doctor or the PMI at your next check-up.
Sources
- Haute Autorité de santé, “Recommandation vaccinale contre la varicelle chez les nourrissons de 12 mois et plus – Note de cadrage”, document dated 7 October 2026, published online on 7 October 2026.
- Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), “Varicelle : que faire et quand consulter ?”, page updated on 25 March 2026.
