Rennes Launches Major Vaccination Campaign to Combat Meningitis B Outbreak

Following six confirmed cases, including one fatality, 100,000 young people aged 15 to 24 are being urged to get vaccinated in the Rennes metropolitan area.

The vaccination campaign targets individuals aged 15 to 24, the group most at risk for invasive meningococcal infections, with free vaccinations available at designated centers and pharmacies.
Six cases of meningitis B, including one death in February, have been confirmed in Rennes, with three linked to the Rennes School of Business and others sharing the same bacterial strain.
France has recorded over 600 meningitis cases and 50 deaths since July 2024, with the disease proving fatal in approximately 14% of cases.
Health officials attribute the increase in cases to weakened immune systems following a severe flu season, making individuals more susceptible to meningococcal infections.
The vaccination process involves two doses, with the second injection scheduled one month after the first to ensure full immunity.