From February 20 to March 3, 2023, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) is launching a public consultation on the vaccination obligations and recommendations of healthcare professionals. On this occasion, it mentions on its site a draft opinion concerning the lifting of the vaccination obligation against Covid-19. A final recommendation will be published at the end of March.
Seized by the government, the HAS is about to partly decide the fate of the suspended caregivers. In November 2022, Emmanuel Macron claimed to be in favor of the reinstatement of these personnel, declaring that he was relying on “scientific” and not “political” advice.
Towards a reinstatement of suspended staff?
“If the scientists tell us that it is desirable (…) to reintegrate these caregivers, the government must do it”, declared the Head of State during a trip to Dijon. The executive has just seized the opinion of the HAS and, in parallel, that of the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE) in order to enlighten it.
“In the current context, the vaccination obligation against Covid-19 could be lifted for all professionals” concerned, estimated the High Authority for Health in a draft opinion made public on its site this Monday, February 20.“This vaccination should however remain strongly recommended, in particular for professions for which a vaccination recommendation is currently in force for influenza”, she nuances.
The position of the HAS is not final
Until March 3, HAS is submitting an online questionnaire addressed in particular to associations of patients and users of the health system, learned societies and professional orders. The purpose of this consultation is to“enrich, complete and finalize the final recommendation” of the health authority.
It should also be noted that if the lifting of the vaccination obligation is recommended, it could be“review in case of adverse change in epidemiology”. In addition to vaccination against Covid-19, those against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and hepatitis B are also concerned by the public consultation.
In a second step, the HAS will rule on the fate of vaccinations currently only recommended to health professionals.