The Regional Health Agency and the Mayotte Education Authority, in collaboration with the Association of Mayotte Mayors, are launching a school-based catch-up vaccination campaign starting today, primarily targeting diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and pertussis.

Vaccination Coverage in Mayotte: Significant Vaccination Delays Among 7- to 16-Year-Olds

This report presents and analyzes vaccination data in Mayotte for children under 16 and their trends since 2010. It appears that vaccination status varies significantly depending on the age group considered.

Overall, efforts made in recent years have improved vaccination coverage among 2- to 5-year-olds, which is now close to the national average. Conversely, vaccination coverage in the two oldest age groups (children of primary school age and those in middle school) was largely insufficient, with only 41.4% of 7- to 11-year-olds and one-quarter of 14- to 16-year-olds up to date on at least 8 of the 12 vaccines tested. While MMR and Hepatitis B vaccination rates are generally satisfactory (vaccination coverage above 80%), booster shots required after age 2 (DTP-Coq boosters at ages 6 and 11–13) are particularly underutilized. Similarly, meningococcal C and pneumococcal vaccinations are slow to take hold in the region.

The existence of unvaccinated groups constitutes potential epidemic hotspots, the public health consequences of which can be significant. Cases of diphtheria are on the rise, and Mayotte experienced a severe pertussis epidemic in 2018.

A school-based vaccination catch-up campaign to ensure optimal individual and community protection

This catch-up vaccination campaign, organized by the Regional Health Agency and the Mayotte School District, with the support of the Association of Mayotte Mayors, will take place throughout the first half of 2023. A “test phase” will be held at the end of November to fine-tune protocols and ensure the campaign’s success.

Specifically, vaccination teams will visit all elementary schools and middle schools in the Mayotte School District by the summer break of 2023. A medical consultation to assess vaccination status will be offered to all children. The vaccines offered are those listed in the French “vaccination schedule” and for which students, accompanied by their health records and parental consent, are still eligible to receive.

Given the delays observed, students will be able to get vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and pertussis. Even if vaccination coverage is adequate, the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella will also be offered.

This large-scale initiative is part of a collaborative effort with all vaccination partners in the region to ensure, in the long term, that these rates remain at sufficient levels.