Vaccination by nurses: vaccines, ages, conditions for prescribing and declaration

Nurses have become central players in vaccination: they can prescribe and administer, without a medical prescription, all vaccines on the vaccination schedule from age eleven onwards. This right is now set out in two orders of 26 June 2026, one on procedures, the other on prescriptions. Vaccines concerned, ages, exclusions, declaration to the Order, training, traceability and billing: here is what the current regulations say.

Which vaccines can a nurse prescribe?

The order of 26 June 2026 setting out the list of health products that a nurse can prescribe authorises:

• the prescription of all vaccines listed in the current vaccination schedule, for people aged eleven and over, in accordance with the recommendations in that schedule;
• the prescription of vaccines against seasonal flu for people aged eleven and over, whether or not targeted by vaccination recommendations;
• the prescription of vaccines against COVID-19 for people aged five and over, whether or not targeted by vaccination recommendations.

One exclusion applies: live attenuated vaccines in immunocompromised individuals. The Health Insurance Fund cites as examples of live attenuated vaccines those against measles, mumps and BCG.

Which regulations previously governed vaccination?

Nurses' vaccination competence was previously based on decree no. 2023-736 and the order of 8 August 2023, which had already extended it to all vaccines on the schedule from age eleven onwards. The decree of 24 December 2025 repealed article R4311-5-1 which was its legal basis, and the prescription order of 26 June 2026 repealed article 1 of the order of 8 August 2023, which set out the list of vaccines. If you have already declared your prescribing activity under the previous framework, the order does not provide for any transitional provision: if in doubt, contact your departmental council.

Can a nurse vaccinate without a medical prescription?

Yes. The order setting out the list of procedures and care places vaccination within the nurse's independent scope of practice. You can administer, without a prescription:

• all vaccines on the vaccination schedule for people aged eleven and over, in accordance with its recommendations, except live attenuated vaccines in immunocompromised individuals;
• vaccines against seasonal flu for people aged eleven and over;
• vaccines against COVID-19 for people aged five and over, whether or not targeted by recommendations.

Prescribing and administering are two distinct acts. Administration is part of your routine practice; it is prescribing that is subject to a declaration and, with certain exceptions, to training.

What about a child under eleven?

Apart from the COVID-19 vaccine, which can be given from age five, vaccination of a child under eleven does not fall within your independent scope of practice. You carry it out on prescription: the order on procedures and care lists among acts requiring a prescription scarifications and injections intended for vaccinations that do not fall within the independent scope of practice. The same applies to an immunocompromised person who needs to receive a live attenuated vaccine.

Point to note: the framework follows the current vaccination schedule, which is updated regularly. Consult the dated version published by the health ministry before each campaign, particularly for boosters and targeted populations.

What about the intradermal reaction or monitoring after injection?

The order on procedures and care also places within your independent scope of practice the reading of the intradermal reaction for the tuberculin test, as well as monitoring of injections and scarifications. These procedures accompany vaccination without requiring a prescription.

What conditions must be met to prescribe vaccines?

Annex I of the prescription order sets out two conditions:

1. Training: you must hold a training certificate issued by a training body or organisation that meets the learning objectives set out in an order by the health minister.
2. A declaration: you declare your vaccine prescribing activity, by any means giving proof of receipt, to the Order council on whose register you are inscribed.

Good to know: training is not required if you prescribe only vaccines against seasonal flu or COVID-19. Administration of vaccines does not require additional training: it is part of the foundation of your training.

How do I declare my vaccine prescribing activity to the Order?

The National Order of Nurses has set up an online process:

1. log in to yourmembers' area;
2. open the 'Other requests' tab;
3. select 'I declare my vaccine prescribing activity';
4. attach your training certificate, if you prescribe vaccines other than flu and COVID-19.

According to the Order, the declaration applies to all nurses who prescribe: general nurses, specialist nurses, advanced practice nurses, and retired nurses who resume activity. For any questions, your departmental council is your point of contact. If you are not yet registered, start withregistration with the Order of Nurses.

How do I record a vaccination?

The regulations provide for dual traceability:

• the order on acts and care includes in vaccination the entry in the health record, vaccination record and shared medical file;
• the prescription order requires that any prescription be entered in the patient's file or shared medical file.

How do I bill for vaccination in private practice?

The General Nomenclature of Professional Acts provides for different coding depending on whether vaccination follows a medical prescription or you prescribe it yourself. When you vaccinate without prior prescription, you enter your own identification number in the 'prescriber' field. At home, vaccine injection is cumulated at full rate with other acts, by derogation from article 11B of the NGAP. The current codes and amounts are shown on the Health Insurance page dedicated to vaccination by nurses. For general coding rules, consult our guide on the NGAP and billing in private practice.

Is vaccination part of nursing prescription?

Yes. Vaccination is one of six areas covered by the prescription order of 26 June 2026, alongside wound care, sexual health, smoking cessation, health products and biological tests. The full overview is in our guide what nurses can prescribe.

What role does vaccination play in prevention?

Vaccination is among the topics covered in the prevention assessment at key ages, which nurses can carry out: this assessment covers medical history, lifestyle habits, prevention of chronic diseases, vaccinations and wellbeing. It is an opportunity to check vaccination status and propose recommended catch-up vaccinations, which you can now prescribe and administer yourself from age eleven onwards. The order on acts and care also includes checking vaccination status in wound assessment.

Where can I find the vaccination schedule?

The vaccination schedule and vaccination recommendations are published by the ministry responsible for health. It is updated according to vaccination developments, and professionals are invited to regularly consult the current online version. The Santé.fr portal provides a presentation and a link to the official document.

Official sources

• Légifrance: order of 26 June 2026 setting out the list of health products and complementary tests (vaccination, annex I), order of 26 June 2026 setting out the list of acts and care, decree no. 2025-1306 of 24 December 2025
• Ordre national des infirmiers: declaration of vaccination activity
• Health Insurance: vaccination by nurses
• Santé.fr: the vaccination schedule
• Health Insurance: prevention assessment by nurses