Study Highlights Low Covid-19 Vaccination Rates Among French Children

Only 5% of children aged 5 to 11 in France have received at least one vaccine dose, with stark regional and socioeconomic disparities.

A new study by Santé Publique France reveals that just 5.3% of children aged 5 to 11 in France have been vaccinated against Covid-19 since January 2021.
Vaccination rates are significantly lower among children with chronic illnesses, with only 7.8% of at-risk children vaccinated, despite their higher vulnerability to severe disease.
Regional disparities show higher vaccination rates in the West (7.8% in Normandy and Brittany) compared to the South-East (2.7% in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur).
Socioeconomic factors play a role, as children from economically disadvantaged families are less likely to be vaccinated, reflecting broader pandemic-related inequalities.
France's vaccination rates for children lag behind other countries, such as Spain (55%) and the United States (24%), prompting calls for improved public awareness and outreach efforts.