A large scale vaccination campaign. After several cases of meningitis in recent weeks in the Rennes sector, the health authorities of Ille-Et-Vilaine are trying to stop the circulation of the disease.
The Regional Health Agency (Ars) in Brittany announced on Friday night a vaccination campaign that will refer to 100,000 young people from 15 to 24 years in the Rennes metropolis. She started this Monday, March 3.
• Why this territory?
Since December, Brittany has “intervened around several situations of invasive infections with type B meningococcal in Iille-Et-Vilaine, in particular when taking care of the cases detected and contacts”, with in particular two homes in a business school and within a family.
Three cases of invasive infection with Meningococcus type B “together” were identified with the Rennes Business School in December and February, and three others were declared at the end of January in a family in Chantopie, in the metropolis of Rennes. In addition, on February 3, an 18 -year -old woman died of this infection.
“Expert analysis have shown that it was, every time, the same bacteria and especially the same tension,” said Health Minister Yannick Neuder on Monday.
However, the research carried out by the health authorities has not identified links among contaminated people. “Therefore, the bacteria circulates in the territory of Rennes and, depending on the number of cases reported to the population, we are in what we describe as a hyperindic area,” added Yannick Neuder.
“This situation is characterized by a greater number of infections than usual in this territory,” said the Ars.
• Who is worried?
The territory of the Rennes Metropolis, almost half a million inhabitants, is “particularly concerned about this situation.”
Given this situation, the health authorities have decided to offer vaccination against Meningococcus B to populations particularly at risk in the territory, that is, almost 5,000 students of the Rennes Business School of the School of Business and Youth from 15 to 24 years, inhabitants or schooling or students in Rennes Métropole, which represents “about 100,000 people.”
This age group is the most sensitive Meningococcus B. The vaccination of these young people will create a vaccine barrier. “We have already experienced the Covid period that was traumatic, if there is the proliferation of a disease that we do not want to continue,” entrusts BFMTV Baptiste, a student of this school.
• How long?
Vaccination began on Monday at the Business School. As we indicated with Oust-France, a vaccination center is installed in the University’s facilities.
This first vaccination session will continue until March 19 and a second vaccination session will take place from April 1 to 16, respecting a period of four weeks between the two vaccines, reports France Bleu.
As of Thursday, the campaign opens for other interested young people, “among liberal health professionals and in vaccination centers that will be deployed in sites near the main university centers.”
General professionals, pharmacists, nurses, midwives and other health professionals can practice vaccination. According to the Ministry of Health, the supply in dose of vaccines will not be a problem.
Vaccination will spread in several consecutive weeks “to allow the entire target population to access vaccination” according to Ars.
A free and free number, 0800.35.00.17, to answer questions about this campaign, it is configured and will be “open every day from 10 am to 5 pm,” says Ars Brittany.
• What is meningitis?
HE Meningococcus They are a family of bacteria that cause very dangerous and contagious meningitis, mainly in children and adolescents. Meningococcus meningitis is manifested in particular by a strong fever and a rigid neck and kills a patient in a lightning manner if they are not ordered. And, when they are, mortality remains 10%, not to mention frequent sequels: amputation, cognitive disorders, deafness …
“On the one hand, we have cases of meningitis for which people are not covered and, on the other, a vaccine that has very few side and very effective effects. In this context, the ARS ruled that it was necessary to catch up with vaccination and adolescents of vaccination against the various meningococcal serotypes,” explains Aurel Guejd, the emergency doctor and health for BFMTV.
In France, vaccination Against Meningococcus B and ACWY meningococcus it has been mandatory for babies since January 1, 2025. In adolescents, a retirement dose against Meningocci, controlled A, C, W and and- now it is recommended between 11 and 14 years, even if they have received this vaccine in the youngest.
• What is the situation in another part of France?
Since the cessation of health measures related to COVVI-19, meningococcal meningitis has experienced a rebound in France. In France, an increase in cases was observed during the 2024-2025 season “with a particularly high number of cases in January,” added the ARS.
“We face a meningococcal meningococcal meningitis particularly virulent. Remember that since July, meningitis has caused the death of 50 people in France,” he also points to the Minister of Health.
Throughout the year 2024, France registered 615 cases of invasive infections of meningococcus, registration level since 2010.
Source: BFM TV
