Healthcare professionals show low vaccination rates

Healthcare professionals, despite being key influencers in patients' vaccination decisions, have consistently shown low compliance with flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. According to the High Authority for Health (HAS), less than a third of healthcare professionals comply with annual flu vaccinations, with coverage rates at 20% in healthcare facilities and 21% in EHPAD during the 2024-2025 season. For the Covid-19 vaccine, the coverage rate is even lower, at 5% in EHPAD.

Vaccination rates vary by profession

Vaccination coverage varies significantly according to the job performed. In healthcare facilities and EHPAD, the rate is highest among doctors, decreasing successively among midwives, nurses, and nursing assistants. Professor Élisabeth Bouvet, vice-president of Geres, notes that all studies over the past ten years confirm a professional gradient of vaccination coverage, with nursing assistants being the least vaccinated and doctors and pharmacists the most vaccinated.

Private sector shows higher rates

In the private sector, surveys report higher vaccination coverage than in institutions, ranging from 63% to 86% depending on the groups and regions, although these data are based on small samples. A study conducted in 2018-2019 by the CPias IDF found a rate of about 71% among private nurses.

Factors influencing vaccination rates

Other characteristics, such as the specialty of practice, sex, and prior vaccination history, are associated with vaccination coverage rates. Healthcare workers in intensive care or maternity services, where patients are more at risk, tend to have higher vaccination rates. Men have a better acceptance of vaccination than women.

Effectiveness concerns

The effectiveness of the vaccine is a significant concern for some healthcare workers. The HAS notes that the effectiveness of the flu vaccine fluctuates between 44 and 73%, depending on the degree of concordance between circulating strains and those included in the vaccine. Catherine Bouissou, president of the Syndicat Liberté Santé (SLS) and a nurse by training, emphasizes that the effectiveness of the vaccine and its impact on transmission are not proven, citing the HAS's July 2023 recommendation.

Fear of adverse effects

Another obstacle cited is the fear of adverse effects linked to vaccines. Bouissou demands transparency on the risks related to vaccination against the Covid-19, noting that the rapid development of these vaccines has caused suspicion among healthcare workers. Professor Bouvet, an infectious diseases expert, acknowledges that while the vaccines have an excellent safety profile, serious adverse effects and very rare cases of death have been reported, although no direct link has been established for the mRNA vaccines.

Mandatory vaccination remains contentious

The question of mandatory vaccination remains a subject of tension among healthcare workers. Bouissou and her union advocate for free and informed consent, expressing dissatisfaction with the history of mandatory vaccination policies. Professor Bouvet notes that non-adherence to the flu vaccination is also an expression of resentment towards authorities, particularly among paramedics and nursing assistants.

Efforts to address vaccine hesitancy

To counter vaccine hesitancy, recommendations include promoting and improving training on vaccination in the training programs of health professionals, facilitating access to reliable information during consultations, and developing instruments to measure vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers. The National Council of the Order of Nurses (Cnom) has recognized the need to strengthen the training of nurses in vaccine-related issues.

Higher rates for certain vaccines

Vaccination coverage against measles and whooping cough has increased since 2010, with rates at 54% and 73% respectively in 2019. These vaccines are not mandatory but strongly recommended. The specific role of caregivers with infants and young children at high risk of severe forms of the diseases, or the fact that these vaccines do not require annual booster shots, may be determinants of higher acceptance.

European project to combat misinformation

The European project JitsuVAX, launched in 2020, aims to combat vaccine misinformation with healthcare workers. Coordinated by the University of Bristol, the project provides tools to understand and combat vaccine misinformation, including an overview of psychological reasons for believing in false information and advice on how to address these issues in face-to-face conversations.