Taking care of your health on a daily basis does not require a complete upheaval of your habits overnight. French health recommendations evolve each year, and some new guidelines for 2026 deserve attention because they significantly change the game for families, at-risk adults, and pregnant women.
Vaccination Schedule 2026: Three Changes That Directly Affect Your Circle
Have you noticed that vaccination requirements have been expanding regularly over the past few years? The 2026 vaccination schedule, published by the Ministry of Health, confirms this trend with notable changes.
The most visible change concerns the vaccination catch-up for HPV extended up to 26 years old. Previously limited to an earlier age, this catch-up offers an additional window for young adults who may not have been vaccinated during adolescence. The goal is to reduce the incidence of cancers related to the papillomavirus, particularly cervical cancer.
Another point: vaccination of infants against meningococci B and ACWY has been mandatory since January 1, 2025. This measure responds to the increase in invasive meningococcal infections observed since 2022. In practical terms, without these vaccines, enrollment in daycare or community settings may be denied.
Finally, new recommendations target vaccination against pneumococcus in older adults and those with risk factors. If a loved one is affected, it is worth checking their vaccination record during the next consultation.
To find all health information on Santé et Forme, these developments are regularly detailed with practical guidelines tailored to each profile.
Antibiotics in Dental Care: Why the High Authority of Health is Curbing Prescriptions
A visit to the dentist often ends with a prescription for antibiotics, sometimes as a precaution rather than a real necessity. The High Authority of Health (HAS) published recommendations in September 2026 aimed at reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in dental practice.
The underlying issue has a name: antibiotic resistance. When bacteria are exposed too often to antibiotics, they develop defense mechanisms. Treatments then lose effectiveness, even for serious infections unrelated to dental issues.
What This Changes in Consultation
The HAS now more strictly regulates the indications for antibiotic prophylaxis (prescribing an antibiotic before a procedure to prevent an infection) and antibiotic therapy (treating an already declared infection). The idea is not to eliminate antibiotics in dentistry but to reserve them for situations where they provide proven benefits.
- Before a dental extraction in a patient without specific risk factors, antibiotic prophylaxis is no longer systematic.
- Localized infections like a simple abscess can first be treated by drainage, without immediate recourse to antibiotics.
- Patients with heart prostheses or those who are immunocompromised remain subject to specific prevention protocols.
During your next dental appointment, asking the practitioner if the antibiotic is truly necessary is not offensive. It is even encouraged by health authorities.
CMV Screening During Pregnancy: Enhanced Monitoring
CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a common virus that often goes unnoticed in healthy adults. Its symptoms resemble those of a common cold. The problem arises when a pregnant woman contracts the virus for the first time: CMV can cause neurological damage to the fetus, including hearing loss or developmental delays.
The HAS has strengthened its recommendations regarding CMV screening and management during pregnancy, with updates published in September 2026. This screening was not systematic in France before, unlike in other European countries.
A Simple and Little-Known Preventive Measure
CMV is primarily transmitted through the saliva and urine of young children. A pregnant woman in regular contact with young children (siblings, daycare, early childhood profession) is at higher risk.
- Washing hands after each diaper change or contact with a child’s secretions significantly reduces transmission.
- Avoiding sharing utensils, glasses, or toothbrushes with a young child is part of the recommended measures.
- Serological screening early in pregnancy helps determine if the expectant mother has already been exposed to the virus and is therefore protected.
This topic remains rarely addressed during initial prenatal consultations. Asking your doctor or midwife can help clarify your serological status and adapt precautions.
Flu and Covid Vaccination Campaign Fall 2026: Who is Affected
The joint vaccination campaign against seasonal flu and Covid-19 has been relaunched for the fall of 2026-2027. It primarily targets individuals over 65, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart failure, respiratory conditions).
The two vaccines can be administered on the same day, one in each arm. This practical point avoids multiple appointments and improves overall vaccination coverage. Healthcare professionals (doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives) are authorized to administer these injections.
For those who are hesitant, a useful reminder: seasonal flu causes avoidable hospitalizations each year, particularly among vulnerable adults. The dual vaccination reduces this risk without doubling side effects.
The most effective preventive habits often involve simple actions, repeated at the right time. Checking your vaccination schedule, asking your dentist about the relevance of a prescription, washing your hands after a diaper change: none of these actions require considerable effort, but each alters the trajectory of a concrete health risk.
