HAS recommends gradually introducing mandatory influenza vaccination for healthcare workers

Paris – 21.07.2026: Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) recommends gradually making annual influenza vaccination mandatory for workers in the healthcare and social sectors. Nursing homes and long-term care units should be given priority. The recommendation published on 20 July does not yet create a directly applicable vaccination requirement, but it establishes a clear professional framework for possible government decisions.

According to the recommendation, it would apply to all employees and self-employed professionals in the healthcare sector. Other hospital staff, as well as employees of elderly care facilities, would also be included if they work with people at high risk of severe influenza. Pupils and students in medical, pharmaceutical and paramedical education programmes should also be covered.

HAS justifies its initiative by stating that vaccination rates among staff remain low, although influenza vaccination has been recommended for many years. The gap is particularly noticeable in nursing homes: according to the authority, 82.7 percent of residents were vaccinated against influenza, but only 21 percent of staff. The authority considers this a risk for people in need of special protection.

By contrast, HAS does not recommend introducing mandatory vaccination for residents of care facilities aged 65 and over. Their vaccination rate is already high, while nursing homes are also places of residence, raising particular ethical issues. The annual vaccination recommendation for this group remains in force. In addition, the authority stresses the importance of ventilation, hygiene, cleaning, infection prevention and isolating sick people.

According to Franceinfo, Anne-Claude Crémieux, a member of the HAS board and chair of the technical vaccination committee, described the requirement for staff as indispensable. The expert body refers to the risk of transmitting influenza viruses to elderly patients or people with serious underlying conditions. At the same time, a major influenza wave could significantly overburden care provision in hospitals and care facilities.

According to the proposal, implementation should not take place immediately. HAS recommends a phased rollout over two years, which could be extended by a further year. This period is intended to ensure practical organisation, acceptance of the measure and vaccine supplies. Initially, the focus should be on facilities with particularly vulnerable residents.

The recommendation is based on a mandate from the Ministry of Health. Whether and when it will be turned into mandatory rules is not decided by HAS itself. However, the authority has clearly stated its position: in its view, for staff who have close contact with vulnerable people, the expected protective effect outweighs the arguments in favour of a generally voluntary approach.