Why vaccination is a topic that deserves clarity and serenity
When you become a parent, the question of vaccines quickly arises, often even before birth. Between pediatrician recommendations, discussions around you, and information circulating on the internet, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This article does not aim to convince or judge, but to give you reliable benchmarks, based on the recommendations of French health authorities, to approach this subject with clarity.
Vaccination is one of the most well-documented public health interventions in terms of effectiveness. In France, it is the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) that establishes the vaccination schedule, updated annually, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Santé Publique France. This schedule is freely accessible on the has-sante.fr and ameli.fr websites.
Mandatory vaccines for children born after January 1, 2018
Since 2018, France has extended the number of mandatory vaccines for infants. Before this date, only three vaccines were mandatory: diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. Today, eleven vaccines are mandatory for children born from January 1, 2018.
The list of eleven mandatory vaccines
These eleven vaccines cover the following diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, hepatitis B, invasive pneumococcal infections, meningococcus C, measles, mumps, and rubella. They are all included in combined vaccines, which limits the number of actual injections.
This obligation concerns children up to two years of age. Non-compliance with this obligation may result in refusal of admission to collective care (crèche, nursery school). It is important to note that this obligation aims at collective as well as individual protection, particularly for infants too young to be vaccinated and for immunocompromised individuals.
Recommended vaccines (not mandatory)
Beyond the eleven mandatory vaccines, the French vaccination schedule includes recommended vaccines, including seasonal flu vaccination for some children, chickenpox in specific situations, or rotavirus. These recommendations vary depending on age, medical history, and family context. Your doctor or pediatrician is best placed to guide you on these choices.
The simplified vaccination schedule from 0 to 3 years
Here is an overview of the main vaccination times during the first three years of life, as defined by the current vaccination schedule. This summary is indicative: always refer to the updated recommendations of your healthcare professional.
At birth
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended at birth for newborns whose mother is a carrier of the HBs antigen. For other infants, it begins at two months.
At 2 months
This is the first major vaccination appointment. The infant receives a hexavalent vaccine which covers six diseases in a single injection: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae b infections, and hepatitis B. Pneumococcal vaccination is also carried out at this stage.
At 4 months
A second dose of the same vaccines is administered. This is also when some doctors offer the rotavirus vaccine, which protects against a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants.
At 5 months
The meningococcus C vaccine is introduced at this age, with a recommended booster dose.
At 11 months
A booster of the hexavalent and pneumococcal vaccines is performed. It is also at this age that the second dose of the meningococcus C vaccine is administered.
At 12 months
The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is administered in two doses, the first at 12 months and the second between 16 and 18 months.
Between 16 and 18 months
A booster of the hexavalent vaccine is administered, accompanied by the second dose of MMR.
What babies feel after vaccination: what is normal
It is common for infants to experience mild reactions after vaccination: redness or slight swelling at the injection site, moderate fever (below 38.5°C), crying, irritability, or drowsiness in the following hours. These reactions are a sign that the immune system is responding to the vaccine. They usually disappear within 24 to 48 hours.
On the other hand, certain signs should prompt you to consult quickly: persistent high fever, convulsions, breathing difficulties, or significant facial swelling. If in doubt, contact your doctor or dial 15 (SAMU). You can also consult the practical guide on Ameli.fr dedicated to post-vaccination reactions.
Questions parents often ask
Can a baby with a cold or mild illness be vaccinated?
A cold or a mild fever generally does not contraindicate vaccination, but it is your doctor who makes this decision on a case-by-case basis during the consultation. It is always preferable to report any symptoms before vaccination rather than canceling it without medical advice.
My child is behind on their vaccinations: what should I do?
A delay does not reset the schedule. Your doctor will establish an appropriate catch-up schedule. It is never too late to vaccinate a child who is behind.
Are combined vaccines riskier?
No. Combined vaccines (such as the hexavalent) were developed precisely to limit the number of injections while maintaining the same effectiveness and safety profile as separate vaccines. They are rigorously monitored by the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament (ANSM).
Where can I find reliable information on vaccines?
The official French sources are the most reliable: the HAS website (has-sante.fr), that of Santé Publique France (santepubliquefrance.fr) and Ameli.fr. Your pediatrician or family doctor remains your primary contact for any questions specific to your child.
The health record: a tool not to be overlooked
Each vaccination must be recorded in your child's health record, given at birth by the maternity hospital. This official document tracks all vaccinations received and is essential for admission to collective care, foreign travel, and medical follow-up throughout life. Keep it carefully and bring it to every consultation.
In case of loss, your doctor can partially reconstruct vaccination history from their file, but some data may be difficult to retrieve. Since 2022, a digital health space (Mon espace santé) also allows these information to be stored in digital format.
Slow parenting and vaccination: two compatible values
Choosing to move at your own pace, to question, to understand before acting: this is a healthy parenting approach. Vaccination is no exception to this reflection, and it is legitimate to ask questions. What matters is to ask them to the right people, in an open dialogue with your healthcare professional, without being guided solely by unverified sources.
Taking care of your child's health also means providing them with a safe environment where they can grow up serenely. To accompany the first months of awakening at home, we have designed our activity mat to support the motor and sensory development of the infant in a reassuring and stimulating environment, without overloading their surroundings.
If you wish to delve deeper into other aspects of life with a newborn, you can consult our article on the truly useful essentials for returning home or on setting up the baby's room using a Montessori approach.
