Before leaving for the great adventure of expatriation, it is better to check the necessary vaccines. Indeed, the French vaccination calendar can be added to that of the country of destination. Not always easy to follow as a parent. Here is a guide to managing your child’s vaccinations during an expatriation.
Which vaccination schedule to follow?
You are leaving with a child who has already received a few doses of vaccine in France, and you are wondering if you will continue to follow the French vaccination schedule, or if you will adopt that of your new country of residence.
- The French vaccination schedule : With, since 2018, eleven compulsory vaccines for children, it can be practical to continue to follow this vaccination schedule. This will avoid problems of double vaccination or forgetfulness. In addition, according to an article by Courrier Expat, French schools abroad follow the same model as schools in France and require an up-to-date vaccination schedule to accept your child. And, in case of return to France, his vaccinations will be done.
- The local vaccination schedule : If you have not planned to return to France and are leaving for a long-term expatriation, it is better to follow the local vaccination schedule.
Which vaccines?
In France for children, eleven vaccines are mandatory: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, haemophilius influenzae B, whooping cough, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcus C, pneumococcus. Abroad, depending on the country you are going to, other vaccines may be added; they are sometimes only recommended. For example, if you are going to Bolivia, the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended from the age of 1 year. In many countries, the yellow fever vaccine is also recommended, from the age of 9 months, and can sometimes even be requested to enter the territory. To find out which vaccines are required for your destination, go to the Institut Pasteur website. You can also find all the information on the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Travel Advice platform, by country in the health section.
The health record
In France, all vaccinations are listed in the health record. Only, in some countries, doctors will ask for an official translation to fill it out, and in others it could even be refused. In this case, ask the doctor to provide you with a vaccination certificate, with the date, the name of the vaccine and the batch number.
Another solution for expatriates, the international vaccination record. This is issued free of charge by international vaccination centres, but only after vaccination against yellow fever. Convenient if you plan to move and change countries regularly, this document is valid anywhere in the world and does not require translation.
In addition, some applications such as Mesvaccins allow you to have an electronic vaccination record and to follow your child’s vaccinations as well as possible; they even give you advice if you are traveling.