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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Medical validation:
April 01, 2023
While thousands of caregivers are suspended in the country, the High Health Authority has recommended lifting “the vaccination obligation” at the hospital. The government has announced that it will follow this advice.
The High Authority for Health (HAS) has decided. Thursday, March 30, she spoke out in favor of the reintegration of caregivers not vaccinated against Covid. Experts from the High Authority for Health have estimated that the Covid epidemic is at a sufficiently low level today.
Vaccination still “recommended” but no longer “compulsory”
While since 2021, caregivers had to be vaccinated against Covid in order to be able to continue working (they were between 2000 and 4000 to be suspended), the HAS now wishes to lift this vaccination obligation.
Nevertheless, she”insists on the fact that the lifting of a vaccination obligation for professionals does not call into question the interest of this vaccination, whether in the professional environment or in the general population“.
Vaccination against Covid-19 is still there “strongly recommended, including remote reminders of the primary series“.
The HAS experts therefore call on caregivers to “take their responsibilities“, especially for those who work “with particularly vulnerable people”.
François Braun will follow the advice of the HAS
For its part, the government has decided to follow the advice of the HAS.
“I will follow the advice of this scientific authority“, reacted the Minister of Health François Braun, promising to “consult hospital federations and health professions orders to define the terms of implementation“of this decision, which will be “quickly” the subject of a decree.
A statement confirmed by the French Hospital Federation:
“As at each stage of the pandemic, the FHF relies on the advice of the scientific authorities. The HAS recommendation will be followed by the Government, with whom we will work to specify the practical arrangements for the reinstatement of the professionals concerned.” declared Arnaud Robinet, President of the FHF.
For its part, the Academy of Medicine remains on its position expressed in July 2022: it “recommends that annual vaccinations, each autumn, against influenza and against Covid-19 be included in the vaccination obligations of professionals working in the health and medico-social sectors“.
A notice that signals the end of a controversial measure
For Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo, this opinion is good news.
“This is excellent news, even if this opinion should have been given months ago. There is no longer any “scientific truth” that can keep caregivers at a distance. This notice also sends a message of benevolence to the medical staff, who, it must be remembered, are not “antivax”: caregivers are already vaccinated against hepatitis B, which is mandatory to enter the hospital.“, assures the medical director of Doctissimo, before adding”In a strained hospital system, extra help is needed.”