Senators agreed, on Sunday, November 23, with a show of hands to mandatory vaccination against influenza for caregivers working in liberal capacities, which had been ruled out by deputies during the examination of the first reading of the Social Security budget.
An article in the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) in its initial version regulated this “as recommended” from the High Authority for Health (HAS), vaccination against influenza is mandatory for people living in nursing homes. The same obligations, depending on the recommendations of the HAS, are also provided “health professionals who practice, in a liberal capacity, a profession listed in a decision of the Council of State”. This decision must be decisive “training conditions” nanny and “exposure to risk of contamination”especially for the people he is responsible for.
The article was rejected in the National Assembly, and the RN-UDR and LFI alliance voted against. RN has defended “vaccine freedom” and the “rebel” group is worried about the fate of residents 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.
Flu will kill 17,000 people by 2024
Emphasizing that the population coverage rate is already high (83%), MI Imbert believes that this obligation arises for citizens “sensitive ethical questions, particularly regarding consent to treatment, which are increasingly complex to understand for people who may suffer from cognitive impairment”. He added that“There are no real consequences (…) cannot stem from refusal of vaccination” Because “We can’t imagine it (…) expulsion of vulnerable people from their accommodation because they refuse to receive vaccination”.
The Minister of Health, Stéphanie Rist, expressed an ominous opinion, stressing that the figure of 83% could cover a large gap depending on the company.
HAS should issue recommendations in the spring on mandatory vaccination against influenza by 2026 for health professionals working in hospital structures.
The flu epidemic causes 17,000 deaths by 2024, an outbreak that has a major impact on hospitals and raises sensitive questions about such obligations, while only “21% of caregivers have received a flu vaccination”according to MI rist.
