GOURBEYRE: --- The Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the Rectorate, in collaboration with health professionals, have announced the renewal of a major health initiative for the 2025-2026 school year. The campaign offers free vaccinations to adolescents in public and private establishments across the Northern Islands, aiming to bolster protection against serious preventable diseases.
This year's campaign features a significant expansion in scope. For the first time, the initiative includes medical-social establishments and services (ESMS). Young people aged 11 to 14 cared for in these structures will now benefit from the same free vaccination access as middle school students.
The 2025-2026 drive focuses on two critical immunizations: the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine. Health officials emphasize that both injections can be administered on the same day—one in each arm—streamlining the process for families. Parents only need to sign a single authorization form to consent to both measures.
Tackling Preventable Cancers and Severe Infections
The campaign targets two distinct but serious health threats facing adolescents.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV):
HPV is an incredibly common infection, with approximately 8 out of 10 people exposed to it during their lifetime. While the virus often clears up on its own, persistent infections can lead to precancerous lesions and various forms of cancer, including cervical, anal, and throat cancers. In France, HPV is linked to more than 7,000 cancer cases annually.
Medical experts stress that vaccination is most effective when administered between the ages of 11 and 14, as the immune response is strongest in younger adolescents.
Meningococcal ACWY:
The second focus of the campaign is the meningococcus bacterium. Transmitted orally through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking, this bacterium can lead to meningitis or septicemia (blood poisoning) if it enters the bloodstream or reaches the brain.
These infections are rapid and dangerous, potentially becoming fatal within 24 hours or leaving survivors with severe, lifelong sequelae such as deafness, epilepsy, or amputations. Adolescents in the 11 to 14 age group are particularly vulnerable due to social behaviors and community living environments that facilitate the germ's circulation.
By combining these vaccinations into a single, accessible campaign within schools and medical-social centers, health authorities aim to significantly increase coverage rates and ensure the long-term health of the region's youth.