Extending vaccination coverage to better fight epidemics: this is the objective of the public authorities. For the National Order of Nurses, their profession can play a role in this improvement.
The seasonal flu vaccination campaign started on October 6 and lasts until January 31. According to the Ministry of Health, the flu is a threat for 12 million people: in a fragile individual, the complications can be dangerous or even lead to death.
The vaccine is not an obligation, but it is recommended for some people. In France, eleven vaccines have been compulsory since January 1, 2018, three have been added to the previous list. The widening of vaccination coverage is an objective of the Ministry of Health to fight against epidemics, because the situation in France can still be improved.
Insufficient vaccination coverage
“For measles and rubella, the vaccination coverage is 90% for the first dose and 80% for the second, whereas it must be 95% for the two doses in order to interrupt the circulation of the virus. This has led to epidemics in the years 2009, 2012 and 2018, with deaths”, notes Daniel Levy-Bruhl from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Public Health France in an article on the site NewsCare.
Improving vaccination coverage was the subject of a plan by the Ministry of Health between 2012 and 2017, as more and more French people are skeptical and refuse vaccines. About a quarter of the population considers that these are not effective. Not having your child vaccinated is punishable by law: the penalty can be up to six months in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros.
Strengthen the role of nurses
On November 7, the National Order of Nurses (Oni) gathered for a session of conferences around the improvement of vaccination coverage. The president of the Oni, Patrick Chamboredon, is in favor of a modification of the role of nurses: “Why not (…) extend the population that can be vaccinated by nurses”. It is based on the examples of other countries, such as Spain or Quebec, where nurses are the “masters of vaccination”.
Improving vaccination coverage also involves health professionals themselves. On October 18, a charter was signed by the Ministry of Health and seven health orders to encourage these professionals to get vaccinated, to protect themselves and their patients.
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