Towards a reinsertion of unvaccinated caregivers? Taken advantage of by the Ministry of Health to “formulate its scientific opinion on the vaccination obligations and recommendations of professionals”, the High Health Authority (HAS) paved the way for the end of the vaccination obligation against Covid-19 in caregivers, in a document dated February 16.
“In the current context, the obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19 could be lifted for all professionals covered by the law of August 5, 2021,” writes the HAS.
Before issuing its final opinion, the High Authority, whose opinion the Government usually follows, nevertheless awaits the results of an open public consultation aimed at health personnel at the end of March.
The latter must allow “collecting as broadly as possible contributions from interested parties”, in view of the “social importance” of the issue. This work is carried out in parallel to that of the National Council of Ethics, which is asked to rule on caregivers suspended by the government.
A vaccine that would continue to be “highly recommended”
This change in the position of the authority, which for the moment had refused to budge on the issue, is based on the latest epidemiological data on Covid-19 and all the diseases against which caregivers are required to be immunized: diphtheria . , tetanus, poliomyelitis and hepatitis B – as well as the risks of transmission.
However, if the results of the public consultation were to lean towards lifting the vaccination obligation, the HAS would like Covid vaccination to remain “strongly recommended”.
For the hepatitis B vaccine, the HAS intends to maintain the vaccination obligation only for physicians especially exposed to blood, such as surgeons.
At the end of March, the High Health Authority will also decide on the vaccines that are only recommended for caregivers, such as flu or measles.
It is not “the end of the epidemic”
Since 2021, hospital caregivers are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to practice their profession. A new vaccination obligation that has been massively accepted by caregivers, with notable exceptions in overseas France. Political parties, such as France Insoumise and the National Rally, demand the reinstatement of unvaccinated caregivers.
The government had so far refused to make such a decision. Last December on BFMTV, Health Minister François Braun had presented an “ethical side to which (he) attaches great importance”.
“The meaning of the profession of caregiver is to protect others,” he added.
Given the potential message sent by its publication, the HAS indicated that “this recommendation to lift the vaccination obligation does not in any way mean the end of the epidemic, which continues and specifies that it may be reviewed in the event of an adverse change in epidemiology.” And the interest of vaccination against Covid-19 should not be questioned, both among health professionals and individuals.
Source: BFM TV
