The High Authority of Health indicated in a press release, this Monday, February 20, 2023, to be in favor of the end of the obligation of vaccination against Covid-19 among health professionals.
- The HAS was contacted by the Ministry of Health to formulate a scientific opinion on the obligations and vaccination recommendations of professionals.
- During an initial analysis, the organization indicated that it was in favor of stopping the obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19 for caregivers.
- However, the HAS will not issue its final opinion until the end of March after consultation with the various players in the sector.
Could caregivers soon no longer have the obligation to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to work with the sick? This is what the latest communication from the High Authority for Health (HAS) published on February 20, 2023.
Covid-19: the vaccination obligation for caregivers could be lifted
Seized by the Ministry of Health, the HAS must give its scientific opinion on the obligations and vaccination recommendations of health professionals. After evaluating the latest data on epidemiology, on the risks of transmission in the workplace as well as on the vaccines available, the organization issued a first opinion:
“In the current context, the vaccination obligation against Covid-19 could be lifted for all professionals covered by the law of August 5, 2021”. She then adds that “this vaccination should however remain strongly recommended, in particular for professions for which a vaccination recommendation is currently in force for influenza, including students and professionals in the health and medico-social sectors (working in establishments or liberals) and students and professionals in close and repeated contact with young children”.
HAS also specifies that this recommendation in no way constitutes a calling into question of “the effectiveness, relevance and legitimacy of its previous opinions and recommendations given in a different health context” and that she “signs in no way the end of the epidemic, which is still ongoing”.
Covid vaccination of caregivers: a final decision in March
Nevertheless, the opinion of the HAS, generally followed by the government, is not yet final. “Given the societal importance of the subject, it considers it essential to enrich this work with the contributions of stakeholders”, she explains. It thus launched, on February 20, a public consultation on his work.
Open until March 3, 2023, it is aimed at “immunization stakeholders” professionals such as public bodies, patient and medical sector associations as well as professional organizations (learned societies, professional orders, unions, etc.).
The final opinion which will concern vaccination against Covid-19 – but also those against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and hepatitis B – will be given at the end of March, after having analyzed and studied the opinions of the participants.