The French High Authority for Health (HAS) has been asked by the Ministry of Health to issue a recommendation on compulsory vaccination against influenza in 2026 for healthcare professionals working in hospital and social care facilities.
"We have a referral regarding the vaccination requirement for health professionals," from the outgoing ministry, indicated the institution's president, Lionel Collet, during a press conference.
In 2023, the HAS had reservations about compulsory vaccination, due to a lack of epidemiological data in France concerning flu contracted in establishments, he recalled.
As data on the impact of influenza infections occurring in healthcare facilities are now available and "being analyzed," the HAS will use them to decide on the subject in the "second quarter of 2026," Mr. Collet said.
The flu vaccination requirement for healthcare professionals was suspended by decree in 2006 under the government of Dominique de Villepin when Xavier Bertrand was Minister of Health.
According to Mr. Collet, it would be sufficient to "lift the suspension" by decree to reinstate this obligation enshrined in law.
The vaccination campaign in France against this disease is due to begin on October 14.
Representatives from Public Health France (SpF) and the Ministry of Health have strongly encouraged people to get vaccinated against both Covid and the flu, which was particularly virulent last season with more than 17,000 estimated deaths.
This outbreak of the epidemic and its strong impact on hospitals had revived the sensitive question of a possible vaccination obligation for healthcare workers.
Although strongly recommended by the authorities, flu vaccination remains a minority among healthcare professionals in France.
The Covid vaccination requirement for healthcare workers, under penalty of suspension during the Covid-19 pandemic, from autumn 2021 to spring 2023, had created significant tensions.
English 
French