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French Senate Restores Conditional Flu Vaccine Mandate for Private-Practice Health Workers

The measure remains contingent on an HAS recommendation followed by a decree specifying the professions.

Overview

  • Senators approved the reinstated requirement by a show of hands during examination of the 2026 social security financing bill.
  • An amendment from rapporteur Corinne Imbert (LR) removed the proposed obligation for nursing-home residents, contrary to the government’s position.
  • The National Assembly had rejected the mandate in first reading, leaving a disagreement between the two chambers to be resolved.
  • A decree prepared in Conseil d’État is expected to define the listed professions, conditions of practice, and exposure criteria once HAS issues its opinion.
  • The push follows a 2024 flu season linked to about 17,000 deaths, with the health minister citing roughly 21% vaccination among health workers and about 83% among residents, though coverage varies by facility.