As part of a review of the Social Security budget, senators reintroduced a requirement for caregivers working in the private sector to get flu shots.
Senators approved this Sunday, November 23 with a show of hands mandatory vaccination against influenza for caregivers working in a liberal capacity, which had been ruled out by deputies during the examination of the first reading of the Social Security budget for 2026.
An article in the Social Security financing bill stated in its initial version that “in accordance with the recommendations” of the High Health Authority (HAS), vaccination against influenza is mandatory for people living in nursing homes “during the epidemic period.”
The same obligation, subject to the recommendation of the HAS, is given to “health professionals who carry out, in a liberal capacity, the professions listed in the decisions of the Council of State”. This decision should detail the “practice conditions” of caregivers and “exposure to risk of contamination”, particularly of the people for whom they are responsible.
The coverage rate for nursing home residents is already high
The article was rejected in the Assembly, with the RN-UDR alliance and La France insoumise voting against. RN defends “vaccine freedom” and LFI is concerned about the fate of citizens who refuse.
Instead, senators agreed, not without first adopting an amendment from rapporteur general Corinne Imbert (LR) that removed mandatory vaccination for nursing home residents, against government advice.
Emphasizing that the level of service coverage for residents is already high (83%), Corinne Imbert estimates that the obligation raises “sensitive ethical questions for residents, especially regarding consent to provide care, which is increasingly complex to understand for people who may suffer from cognitive impairment”.
He also argued that “no real consequences (…) can be drawn from refusing vaccination”, because “we cannot imagine (…) the expulsion of vulnerable people from their accommodation because they refuse to be vaccinated”. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist issued an ominous opinion, stressing that the 83% figure could mask a large gap depending on the company.
Another soon-to-be-targeted caregiver?
HAS should issue recommendations in the spring on mandatory vaccination against influenza by 2026 for health professionals working in hospitals and medicosocial structures.
Flu epidemics cause 17,000 deaths by 2024, these outbreaks have a major impact on hospitals and raise again the sensitive issue of such obligations, while only “21% of nurses receive flu vaccinations”, according to Stéphanie Rist.
