France is confronting a triple epidemic of influenza, Covid-19, and bronchiolitis at the start of 2025, with alarming vaccination rates among healthcare workers—only 19% vaccinated against influenza. Hospitals are initiating vaccination campaigns to improve uptake, as many staff underestimate the vaccine’s effectiveness. Despite advocacy for flu vaccinations, the High Authority of Health is not currently considering mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers, awaiting further study results on influenza infections in healthcare settings.
France Faces Triple Epidemic at the Start of 2025
As we enter 2025, France is grappling with the simultaneous spread of three significant health threats: influenza, Covid-19, and bronchiolitis. On January 14, Nicolas Revel, the director of Paris hospitals (AP-HP), addressed this pressing issue on France Inter, highlighting the activation of the white plan in various healthcare facilities to manage the surge of patients. Revel pointed out a concerning statistic regarding healthcare workers, noting that only “19% of them are vaccinated at AP-HP” against influenza—a figure that has notably declined since the onset of the Covid crisis.
Low Vaccination Rates Among Healthcare Workers
Supporting Revel’s claims, official statistics reveal that last winter, just 19% of hospital staff were vaccinated against influenza, as reported by the High Authority of Health. Alarmingly, only 19% of healthcare facilities achieved or surpassed the 30% vaccination threshold among their employees. Nursing homes fared slightly better, with 22.4% of caregivers receiving the influenza vaccine, according to Public Health France.
This vaccination rate is strikingly low compared to the general population at risk, which saw a vaccination rate of 47.1% for severe influenza during the winter of 2023-2024, including individuals over 65 and those with chronic illnesses. It’s paradoxical that healthcare personnel, who are on the front lines and in close contact with vulnerable patients, exhibit such low vaccination rates. Professor Anne-Claude Crémieux, president of the Technical Commission for Vaccinations of the High Authority of Health (HAS), has remarked on this inadequacy, stating, “It is insufficient and has been known for a long time,” while acknowledging that the incentive efforts have reached their limits.
In response, hospitals in Paris, like many across France, are launching vaccination campaigns directly within their facilities to make it easier for staff to get vaccinated. These efforts include “mobile teams” that administer flu vaccines in care services.
Professor Crémieux believes that the “disinterest” among caregivers regarding influenza vaccination stems not from distrust but from a lack of perceived benefit. She explains that many healthcare workers underestimate the vaccine’s effectiveness and its importance in preventing the spread of influenza to their families.
Echoing this sentiment, Thierry Amouroux, spokesperson for the national union of nursing professionals (SNPI), notes that while experienced nurses understand the importance of vaccination for protecting their vulnerable patients, younger nurses are less engaged with this altruistic aspect. They often cite the low effectiveness of the flu vaccine as a reason for their reluctance, despite the measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus in hospitals.
Moreover, adherence to barrier gestures, such as wearing masks and practicing good hygiene, influences the decision to get vaccinated. Sophie Bauer, president of the liberal doctors’ union, acknowledges that doctors are generally aware of the low vaccination rates within their profession, yet they prioritize administering vaccines to those most in need due to limited availability.
Despite these challenges, all health institutions advocate for vaccination against both influenza and Covid-19 for caregivers. AP-HP emphasizes this necessity for “health professionals and any worker in regular contact with at-risk individuals.” Professor Crémieux asserts that studies show a direct correlation: when vaccination rates exceed 40%, there is a notable decrease in hospital-acquired influenza infections. Additionally, international studies indicate that vaccinating healthcare staff can significantly impact overall mortality rates in nursing homes.
Currently, the High Authority of Health is not considering mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers against influenza. Instead, it is awaiting the results of a new study on influenza infections in healthcare settings before potentially revisiting this important discussion.