Already available since December 15 to children aged 5 to 11 who are at risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19 or who live in the entourage of immunocompromised people, the vaccination could be extended from Wednesday to the entire group of 'age.
A government announcement in this direction is awaited.
It would thus follow the recommendations of the High Authority of Health (HAS) which had pronounced, Monday, December 20, in favor of this enlargement, without making it "
exigible or obligatory
", as well as the decision of the French committee of ethics (CCNE), which issued a similar opinion on Friday, December 17.
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However, between work schedules, school hours and available slots, finding an appointment will quickly turn into a headache.
On the business side, we nevertheless want to be reassuring: "
we have always adapted to educational phenomena
", underlines Benoit Serre, vice-president of the National Association of HRDs (Andrh).
He trusts companies to use common sense: "
we will make things possible, we are aware of the constraints,
" he assures us.
He expects in particular many absences on Wednesday afternoons or at the time of the end of school.
A situation provided for by law
In fact, the government has already covered this scenario in article 17 of the law of 5 August 2021. The latter stipulates that: “
employees, trainees and public officials benefit from an absence authorization to go to medical appointments related to covid-19 vaccinations.
An absence authorization may also be granted to the employee, trainee or public official who accompanies the protected minor or adult for whom he is responsible to medical appointments related to vaccinations against covid-19.
"
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Of course, these absences "
do not entail any reduction in remuneration and are assimilated to a period of actual work for the purpose of determining the duration of paid leave as well as for the legal or contractual rights acquired by the persons concerned by virtue of their seniority
" .
In addition, the General Directorate of Health (DGS) provides for the opening of specific time slots, in particular on Wednesday mornings, Saturdays and at the end of the day.
It is planned that medical practices will also take part in the vaccination campaign for the youngest.
To do this, they can order pediatric doses since December 13.
The first deliveries are expected from December 24;
new appointments can thus be obtained.
A measure that is the subject of debate
On the school side, there is no reason to prevent children from getting vaccinated, including during school hours, even if the Ministry of Education asks as much as possible to target time slots outside of school hours. school hours.
However, no explicit instructions have been given, each establishment or academy will be able to manage its organization internally.
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Contrary to the vaccination of children at risk, which seems to obtain a broad consensus, the extension to the age group of 5 to 11 years is more debated.
For the government this measure is
"a necessity"
according to Prime Minister Jean Castex, who believes that children
"are transmitters"
of the virus.
The scientific community seems more nuanced.
The Scientific Council qualified the subject as
"complex"
and did not wish to make it compulsory, nor to establish a health pass for this age group.
