Imposed in the midst of a health crisis, the vaccination obligation against Covid-19 will be lifted for caregivers and other professionals concerned in France. The government promised this Thursday, March 30 to follow the recommendation in this direction of the High Authority for Health (HAS).
France is preparing to join the many other countries which have reversed the obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19, such as Germany, Italy, the United States and Australia. Others, such as Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal, have never made use of this obligation.
In force for 18 months, the obligation to vaccinate against Covid is coming to an end. The HAS has, in fact, reviewed its doctrine and now suggests that the injection ” is highly recommended for the professionals concerned. The change of foot is justified by a more favorable epidemic dynamic. “ The number of new cases has fallen sharply », while appeared « new variants with less virulence “Explained infectious disease specialist Elisabeth Bouvet during a press conference. In this context, and with more than 95% of healthcare professionals ” who have received at least two injections, the obligation “ is no longer required from a scientific and medical point of view “, she added.
The Minister of Health, François Braun, pledged to follow “ quickly ” this opinion. The French government had opted for the constraint at the end of the summer of 2021. In the wake of the ” sanitary pass “Supposed to boost the vaccination of the population, the obligation to be vaccinated was required from 2.7 million people: caregivers, but also staff in hospitals and retirement homes, paramedics, home helpers and even firefighters.
As I made a commitment before Parliament, and as the law provides, I will follow the scientific opinion of the HAS. Following consultations with representatives of health professionals, a decree will be issued to change the vaccination obligation for caregivers.
— Francois Braun (@FrcsBraun) March 30, 2023
A minority phenomenon, according to the government
Failing to certify a complete vaccination schedule (two, then three doses), a few thousand have since been suspended, without remuneration. ” A very minor, even marginal phenomenon “For the ministry, which estimates the proportion of hospital agents still concerned” around 0.3% “. Same tiny proportion on the Liberal side, where Health Insurance counted less than 2,000 caregivers suspended in mid-March.
However, the question of their reintegration has become a political battle horse, in particular for the National Rally (RN, extreme right) and France rebellious (LFI, far left).
(With AFP)
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