French health authority pleads for mandatory measles vaccintion for caregivers
Nurse receiving a vaccination. In France, the health authority wants to fire all healthcare personnel that does not get their measles vaccination. Photo ANP, Rob Engelaar
Western Europe
The High Authority for Health (HAS) in France believes that the measles vaccination should be mandatory for healthcare workers.
The Authority published new recommendations last Monday. Usually, the French government listens to these guidelines, La Croix writes.
According to the advisory body, the French government should oblige healthcare workers to get a vaccination against measles. In addition, it should promote immunisation against whooping cough, influenza, hepatitis A and chickenpox, the statement reads.
Measles are one of the most contagious infectious diseases, the authority argues. It can cause "severe complications in non-immunised persons, particularly infants under 12 months (age of the first dose of the vaccine), young adults, pregnant women and immunocompromised patients", according to the HAS. Especially healthcare staff and patients are at risk, the Authority adds. "Public Health France studies indicate that healthcare professionals are involved in 75 to 83 per cent of measles cases in healthcare establishments in France."
To implement the vaccination obligation, unvaccinated students and professionals will have to get the injection. In case of doubt, the HAS advises the possibility of a test that can prove one's immune status.
Flu
According to Thierry Amouroux, spokesperson of the National Union of Nursing Professionals, an obligation would not meet much resistance. He points out that most personnel are already vaccinated. Actually, Amouroux wants the recommendations of the Has to go even further and also oblige healthcare workers to take the flu vaccine, La Croix writes.
If the Ministry of Health follows the recommendations of the HAS, all unvaccinated healthcare workers will be fired. However, according to Norbert Beriniat, vice president of the National Federation of Firefighters of France, this is an empty threat. "How are we going to encourage people to get vaccinated against measles when we have reintegrated caregivers who have not been vaccinated against Covid?"
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