At this time when the flu epidemic is putting pressure on hospital services, EHPADs, particularly in Lozère, are mobilizing to protect their residents. Point of monitoring: lack of vaccination of healthcare personnel.
The flu vaccine? Thérèse, 77, remains categorical : ” At my age, if I leave, so be it.“ Resident of an establishment housing 72 retirees in the heart of Mende (in Lozère), Thérèse does not want to hear about vaccination. “Moi, I don't want to get vaccinated,“ she affirms, despite the awareness-raising efforts of the establishment's management.
According to the latest bulletin from Public Health France (SPF) published on January 2, almost 90% of hospitalizations for influenza concern people aged over 65 and 231 deaths of elderly people were recorded last week.
The seriousness of the situation is exacerbated by a notable drop in vaccination coverage. A decrease of 5% compared to the previous year, with only 8 million doses delivered compared to 8.4 million during the same period in 2023.
Healthcare personnel little involved in vaccination
At the Adoration nursing home in Mende, the flu vaccination campaign is showing encouraging results among residents.
And 90% of residents are vaccinated against the flu, the situation is very different for healthcare workers.
“With only 6 employees vaccinated out of around fifty, we do not sufficiently protect the residents,” deplores Roselyne Durand, nurse coordinator of the establishment. Despite a “strongly recommended” vaccination, many caregivers believe that it is not necessary for them. A nurse confides: “I’ve never had the flu.” a caregiver adds: “Residents are vaccinated, therefore protected. If I catch it, it will be for me.”
France
