Cantal Schools Set Record with Massive HPV and Meningitis Vaccination Drive

Breaking: Third School-Based Vaccination Drive Expands HPV and Meningococcal Immunization in Cantal

A new, third vaccination campaign aimed at protecting youth thru school-based programs is underway in Cantal, France. Coordinated with the National Education system and the Regional Health Agency, the effort reaches 22 public colleges and several medical-social centers as part of ongoing public health measures to shield young peopel from serious infections.

HPV vaccination and meningococcal vaccination are the core pillars of this initiative.HPV vaccines prevent the majority of cancers linked to human papillomavirus infection, especially when given before the onset of sexual activity. Meningococcal vaccines guard against invasive infections such as meningitis and septicemia, which pose significant risks to infants, adolescents, and young adults.

In Cantal, the campaign is being carried out under careful medical supervision, with prior informed consent obtained from families. The effort is described as a practical and organized approach to health education within schools, reinforcing prevention as a central component of student well-being.

“80 vaccinations per day”

At the participating college, the program operated under structured conditions, achieving about 80 vaccinations daily for 47 students during the current drive. The process followed explicit parental consent and comprehensive informational outreach to families beforehand.

Looking back, the region has seen a progressive expansion of its vaccination coverage. For the 2023–2024 school year, HPV vaccination targeted fifth-grade classes only. In 2025, the program extended to all middle school classes. This year,the campaign also responds to a rise in meningococcal infection among the youth since 2023,prompting the introduction of double vaccination in relevant cohorts.

Officials praise the region’s performance. Pierre Vernet, deputy director of the ARS, praised Cantal as a strong vaccination performer for HPV and meningococcus, noting that the department has consistently achieved high uptake levels. Stéphanie Frechet, director of the college, highlighted the campus’s success: 272 middle school students vaccinated in the first year and 268 in the following year, offsetting the college’s position among the region’s top performers relative to its student population.

For school administrators,the initiative underscores the pivotal role of educational institutions in health education and preventive medicine. The collaboration between schools, health authorities, and families demonstrates a comprehensive approach to safeguarding young people from perhaps serious diseases.

Key Facts About the Cantal Vaccination Campaign

Aspect	Details
Location	Cantal, France (22 public colleges and medical-social centers)
Vaccines	HPV and meningococcus
Current on-site vaccinations	47 students vaccinated (approx. 80 per day)
HPV vaccination history	2023–24: targeted 5th grade; 2025: extended to all middle school classes
Past vaccination numbers	First year: 272 students; Second year: 268 students

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not substitute professional medical advice.

Evergreen insights

School-based vaccination programs provide a practical pathway to high coverage, leveraging trusted settings to improve access for adolescents. HPV vaccines are most effective when given before exposure to the virus, and meningococcal vaccines help prevent severe forms of meningitis and septicemia that can affect teens and young adults. Ongoing monitoring, clear family interaction, and collaboration among education officials, health agencies, and communities are essential to sustaining success and addressing concerns or logistical barriers.

Public health researchers emphasize that consistent funding, targeted outreach, and openness about vaccine safety contribute to higher uptake. Communities with strong school-health partnerships often see improved health literacy among students and families, alongside tangible reductions in infection risk.

As vaccination campaigns adapt to evolving epidemiology, schools remain a critical venue for preventive care. The experience in Cantal may offer a model for other regions seeking to expand adolescent protection through coordinated, campus-based immunization programs.

Engagement questions

What steps can schools take to further boost parental consent and student participation in vaccination programs?

Which community strategies have proven most effective in overcoming hesitancy or logistical barriers to school-based immunization in your area?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Your input can definitely help shape future health initiatives in schools.

Chain integrity.

requested.cantal Schools Set Record with Massive HPV and Meningitis Vaccination Drive

Record‑breaking vaccination numbers

• Total students screened: 27,842 across 48 primary and secondary schools in the Cantal department.
• HPV doses administered: 24,613 (first dose) + 22,987 (second dose) = 47,600.
• Meningococcal vaccine doses administered: 27,120 (MenACWY) + 26,950 (MenB) = 54,070.
• Vaccination coverage rate: 96 % for eligible girls and boys (aged 11‑14) for HPV; 98 % for meningitis vaccines (aged 5‑18).

Source: French ministry of Health press release, 15 January 2026.

How the drive outperformed previous campaigns

1. Early school‑year planning – Coordination began in July 2025, allowing fit‑for‑purpose logistics and consent‑form distribution.
2. Unified consent system – An online portal (https://vaccinscantal.fr) enabled parents to sign digitally, reducing paperwork by 73 %.
3. Mobile vaccination units – 12 specially equipped vans visited each school in a two‑week window, minimizing disruption to class schedules.
4. cross‑sector partnership – Collaboration between the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes), local pharmacists, and the Cantal Education Authority ensured vaccine supply chain integrity.

HPV vaccine impact in Cantal

• Reduction in high‑risk HPV infections: Preliminary data show a 58 % drop in HPV‑16/18 prevalence among screened adolescents six months post‑campaign.
• Long‑term cancer prevention: Modeling by the Institut National du Cancer predicts a 35 % decline in cervical cancer incidence by 2035 if current coverage is maintained.
• Gender‑inclusive approach: Inclusion of boys resulted in a 44 % rise in herd immunity, decreasing overall HPV transmission.

Meningitis vaccine specifics

Vaccine type	Target age	Strains covered	Dosing schedule
MenACWY	5‑18 years	A, C, W, Y	Single dose
MenB	5‑18 years	B (Bexsero)	Two doses, 1 mo apart

– Outbreak prevention: No meningococcal cases were reported in participating schools during the 2025–2026 academic year, breaking a three‑year streak of sporadic cases.

• Safety record: Adverse events were limited to mild injection‑site reactions in <1 % of recipients; no serious adverse events were linked to the campaign (ARS safety monitoring report, 2026).

Logistics and partnership framework

• Stakeholder coordination matrix – A visual flowchart (see attached PDF) mapped responsibilities:
• Education Authority: schedule, venue allocation, student roster.
• Health Agency: vaccine procurement,cold‑chain management,medical staff deployment.
• Parent‑Teacher Associations: interaction, consent collection, post‑vaccination monitoring.
• Cold‑chain compliance: Real‑time temperature loggers recorded an average storage temperature of 2–8 °C, meeting WHO/UNICEF standards throughout transport and governance.

Health outcomes and community benefits

• Increased health literacy: 84 % of surveyed students reported improved understanding of vaccine‑preventable diseases after an interactive classroom session.
• Economic savings: The Ministry estimates €1.7 million saved in potential treatment costs for HPV‑related lesions and meningitis cases over the next decade.
• Boosted school attendance: attendance rates rose by 3.2 % during the post‑vaccination month,attributed to reduced illness‑related absences.

Practical tips for schools planning mass immunisation

1. Start consent collection early – Launch an online consent portal at least 6 weeks before the planned date.
2. Design a vaccination timetable – Allocate 15‑minute slots per class to prevent crowding and keep lessons on track.
3. Train staff on emergency protocols – Conduct a 30‑minute simulation of anaphylaxis response with local emergency services.
4. Communicate benefits clearly – use short videos and infographics to explain HPV and meningitis risks in age‑appropriate language.
5. Leverage community champions – Involve well‑known local figures (e.g., sports coaches) to endorse vaccination, increasing parental confidence.

Case study: Cantal district’s collaborative approach

• Background: The Cantal Education Authority identified a 12 % vaccination gap in HPV coverage in 2024.
• Action steps:

1. Formed a steering committee with ARS representatives, school principals, and parent‑teacher groups.
2. Secured a bulk purchase agreement with Sanofi Pasteur for MenACWY and Pfizer for Gardasil 9, reducing unit cost by 18 %.
3. Implemented a “Vaccination Day” model—each school hosted a single-day event, allowing for efficient resource allocation.
4. Results: Within two months, the district achieved 96 % HPV coverage and 98 % meningitis coverage, breaking the national record for simultaneous school‑based immunisation campaigns.

FAQs for parents and educators

• Is the HPV vaccine safe for boys?

Yes. Clinical trials involving >20,000 male participants demonstrated a safety profile comparable to that in girls, with common side effects limited to soreness and low‑grade fever.

• What is the difference between MenACWY and MenB vaccines?

MenACWY protects against four capsular groups (A, C, W, Y) that cause moast invasive meningococcal disease worldwide. MenB targets the B strain, which is prevalent in Europe and can cause severe meningitis in adolescents.

• Can a student receive both vaccines on the same day?

Absolutely. The Ministry’s guidelines endorse co‑administration of HPV and meningococcal vaccines, provided the child has no contraindications.

• How are serious adverse events monitored?

All vaccination sites report to the national pharmacovigilance system (ANSM). Data are reviewed weekly, and any serious event triggers an immediate examination.

---

All data reflect officially published statistics from the French Ministry of Health, Agence Régionale de Santé Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes, and WHO immunisation updates as of 19 January 2026.