Europe 1 with AFP
The High Authority for Health (HAS) recommended on Monday to oblige caregivers to be vaccinated against measles, considering on the other hand that it was not desirable to do the same for vaccination against influenza, the latter remaining strongly recommended.
The High Authority for Health (HAS) recommended on Monday to oblige caregivers to be vaccinated against measles, considering on the other hand that it was not desirable to do the same for vaccination against influenza, the latter remaining strongly recommended. The health authority, whose opinions are generally followed by the government, recommends “implementing an obligation for professionals to vaccinate against measles, and to maintain the recommendations for vaccination against whooping cough, influenza, hepatitis A and chickenpox,” according to a statement.
One notable change
The opinion concludes long-term work by the HAS to reassess the obligations and recommendations made to caregivers in terms of vaccination. Initially, the HAS published its positions on compulsory vaccines at the end of March. It was on this occasion in particular that she recommended lifting the obligation on anti-Covid vaccines, a decision then endorsed by the government.
The new HAS opinion concerns vaccines which are currently only recommended and not imposed on caregivers. They include vaccination against whooping cough, influenza, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. The only notable change concerns measles. The HAS is now in favor of an obligation, taking note of the effectiveness of existing vaccines and the risk represented by the disease in hospitals, especially in babies.
No obligation against the flu
On the other hand, while continuing to recommend that caregivers get vaccinated against the flu, the authority considers that an obligation would be unjustified in the current state of knowledge. The HAS, which nevertheless regrets the low proportion of caregivers who get vaccinated against the flu, points to the irregular effectiveness of flu vaccines from one year to the next. It also recognizes a lack of data on the real risk represented by the circulation of influenza in health establishments.
As for the other vaccinations mentioned, the authority takes a similar position: it maintains its recommendation without passing to the obligation.