Will caregivers who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 soon be able to return to their jobs? While they have been (still) suspended from their post since September 2021, the Haute Autorité de Santé has come out in favor of the end of compulsory vaccination for healthcare workers this Thursday, March 30. “This concerns health professionals, professionals who work in health establishments, medico-social structures, including those who are in close and repeated contact with young children.she says in a communicated.
#Communicated | The HAS publishes the first part of its work relating to the vaccination obligations and recommendations of professionals. This 1st part concerns the currently compulsory vaccines: Covid-19, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and hepatitis B.
https://t.co/Klh1ax2vC1pic.twitter.com/m0iY9zliZX– High Authority for Health (@HAS_sante) March 30, 2023
According to the HAS, this choice is justified by the fact that the new contaminations with Covid-19, the hospitalizations and the deaths caused by the infection are maintained. at very low levels. Vaccination rates are also sufficiently high in the general population (60%) and among caregivers (86% of caregivers in nursing homes and 89% of private doctors).
The HAS nevertheless insists on the fact that the lifting of the vaccination obligation does not call into question the interest of this vaccination, in the professional environment or in the general population. “This recommendation to lift the obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19 in no way constitutes a questioning of its previous opinions and recommendations given in different health and epidemic contexts.reaffirms the health authority.
What recommendations against Covid-19?
The HAS follows the recommendations of the HSCP and maintains the recommendation around the respect for barrier gestures and respect for hygiene measures in the care setting, in particular with the use of appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment. Vaccination against Covid-19 as well as booster doses are also strongly recommended. These recommendations are nevertheless likely to evolve, depending on the evolution of the health situation, indicates the health authority.
After the publication of this advice, the Minister of Health François Braun indicated that he would follow this advice, and announced that “a decree will be issued”, after consultation with hospital federations and health professional orders. According to the French Hospital Federation, nearly 4,000 caregivers, including 500 nurses, could be reinstated.
The HAS nevertheless recommends maintaining the obligation for vaccination against hepatitis B, while suspending the obligation of DTP vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis for health professionals and students in the field. A second opinion will be issued in July for other vaccines, in particular those against influenza, chicken pox or whooping cough.
Source :
- Vaccination obligations of professionals: HAS publishes the first part of its work, HAS, March 30, 2023
