Parents in France are now receiving an updated child health booklet and must comply with new vaccination requirements against meningitis, following the latest recommendations from the High Council for Public Health (HCSP). The measures came into effect on 1st January 2025 and aim to improve preventive care and protection against meningococcal infections.

The revised child health booklet includes personalised advice for parents and highlights prevention and tailored recommendations for different stages of a child’s growth. Updates include guidance on non-violent parenting, healthy sleep routines, balanced screen time, and physical activity. The booklet also addresses neurodevelopmental disorder screening and introduces detailed tables for food introduction.

Another significant addition is the expansion of the mandatory health examinations to 20, with the inclusion of a new check-up at the age of six. Parents are encouraged to ensure their child’s health information is recorded in both the physical booklet and the digital ‘My Health Space’ (Mon espace santé), a shared medical record system.

In tandem with the new booklet, vaccination requirements for infants now include protection against meningococcal groups ACWY and B. These replace the previous meningococcal C vaccine, which has been mandatory since 2018. The change follows an increase in meningitis cases and updated strain data. Adolescents aged 11 to 14 are also strongly advised to receive the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

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Photo: CDC, Unsplash