TB vaccinations for France

[thesleepyprincess]

Not sure where to post this - here or in Health...

We're moving to France in October. DCs are 5 and 3 and have not been vaccinated against TB (not done in our area although I know some parts of the UK provide it for young children). I have heard that TB is widespread in France...should I go privately and get them vaccinated?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

I don't know where you heard that, but the TB vaccination is no longer compulsory for babies in France precisely because it isn't considered necessary any more.

The jab is only recommended for children in high risk groups.

That's comforting - thank you, castille.

I heard it from our vet!! He was giving our cats their rabies jabs, in preparation for coming out to France, and he said to make sure we got the TB jab for the DCs...

Like in the UK the TB jab is only done in certain areas/those with at risk family backgrounds. If you're moving to somewhere where it might be a problem I'd have it done, but it's not one of the obligatory vaccinations for school etc like it used to be.

Thanks Vive. We're going to be around Chantilly, l'Oise...I'll try to find out!

It's kind of recommended for the whole of Ile de France but we're also in IdF and haven't bothered for DS (DD had it but it was compulsory back then). I'd wait and ask advice of a pediatrician in France because it would be covered here (assuming you are under French social security). Oise is a nice area!

Thank you Brioche!! Area certainly looks lovely. We will be right next to Chantilly.

Very excited though nervous too!

We moved in 2006 with a 9yr old and had it done privately before moving. Had she been born in another hospital it would have been done at birth(M/Cr vs Cheshire where she was born).

Suppose it's one of those things they can insist on if they want to be awkward. You never know.

Ours were both done at birth (we were living in Romania at the time). School required either a new vaccination or evidence of immunity. This a) cost us an arm and a leg and b) was very inconvenient as we ended up having to go to a Chest clinic about 60 miles from where we were living in UK for a skin test (had to go twice, to get results) and certificate to confirm immunity.

Apparently they don't do it at birth in UK any more (both of mine were born in Lambeth which is a high risk area - this coupled with our return to Romania meant that we got it done).