Study on Vaccination Coverage Against Influenza and COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities and Healthcare Settings, 2021–2022 Season

Since November 2021, Santé publique France has been conducting surveys on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among staff and residents of long-term care facilities and among healthcare workers.

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In this article

Background

The 2021–2022 flu vaccination campaign is taking place against the backdrop of a unique public health situation linked to the potential simultaneous circulation of COVID-19 and influenza viruses. This potential co-circulation underscores the importance of vaccinating individuals for whom seasonal flu vaccination is recommended, as well as healthcare professionals, in accordance with the vaccination schedule.

The 2021-2022 flu vaccination campaign began early, on October 18, 2021, in nursing homes, and on October 22 in the general population.

COVID-19 vaccination began in France on December 27, 2020, in accordance with the vaccination strategy established by the Minister of Solidarity and Health, which aims to prioritize vaccination for those most at risk of developing severe forms of the disease. The list of target populations follows the vaccination recommendations issued by the High Authority for Health in its opinions of November 27, 2020, and February 2, 2021.

Healthcare professionals are therefore among the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination. A COVID-19 booster dose has been recommended for healthcare professionals since September 1, 2021. Law No. 2021-1040 of August 5, 2021, on the management of the health crisis, mandates COVID-19 vaccination for individuals working in the health and medico-social sectors. Receiving the booster dose is included in the vaccination requirement applicable to personnel working in the health and medico-social sectors as of January 30, 2022, the date by which they must therefore present a valid vaccination schedule. This schedule generally consists of three vaccine doses. However, a healthcare professional subject to the vaccination requirement who has received two doses meets the requirements of the vaccination mandate: as of February 15, 2022, if they received their second dose less than four months ago or if they have already received a booster dose. Individuals holding a recovery certificate may still be temporarily exempt from this requirement for the duration of the certificate’s validity. Individuals holding a certificate of medical contraindication may always be permanently exempt from this requirement, except in cases where the contraindication is only temporarily valid (Ministry of Health DGS / CCS. Inclusion of the booster dose in the vaccination requirement for individuals working in the health and social sectors. Ministry of Health 2022-13).

In accordance with Information Note DGS/SP1/DGOS/DGCS/2021/131 of June 21, 2021, regarding the 2021-2022 seasonal flu vaccination campaign, a survey was conducted by Santé publique France to estimate vaccination coverage among healthcare professionals working in healthcare facilities.

Objectives

Estimate influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage:

  • healthcare professionals and residents of long-term care facilities

  • healthcare professionals in long-term care facilities

Survey Process

These surveys are conducted in two phases:

  • Mid-campaign survey on the flu vaccination campaign: November 17–December 1, 2021

  • End-of-campaign influenza vaccination survey: March 1–15, 2022

Survey Methodology

Survey of ESMS

This study covers all ESMS facilities that provide residential care for older adults, people with disabilities, or people facing specific challenges, regardless of the facility’s legal status, including ESMS facilities affiliated with a healthcare facility.

However, facilities without accommodation are not included in the scope of this survey.

Study Participation and Questionnaire Completion

Surveillance of influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among residents and staff in ESMS is conducted by Santé Publique France via a form accessible through a dedicated IT tool, the SurvESMS tool. This tool, which is also used for reporting COVID-19 cases in ESMS, is also accessible via the reporting portal of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.

Survey in ESMS

This survey is part of a surveillance program established by Santé publique France in partnership with Geres (Study Group on the Risk of Exposure of Healthcare Workers to Infectious Agents) and with the support of CPias (Support Center for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections), and operational teams in occupational health and hygiene, aimed at identifying healthcare professionals working in public or private healthcare facilities who have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Updated results from this survey are regularly posted on our website.

This study covers all healthcare facilities, regardless of their legal status.

Participation in the study, completing the questionnaire

Data Collected

The information collected is kept to a minimum. It includes, in particular:

  • the total number of residents (ESMS only) and salaried staff at the facility,

  • the number of residents (ESMS only) and staff members who have been vaccinated against the flu since October 2021,

  • the number of residents who have received at least one dose of vaccine and who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series,

  • the number of residents (ESMS only) and staff members who have received a COVID-19 booster dose,

  • the number of staff members who have not received a COVID-19 booster dose because the interval for the booster dose defined by the vaccination mandate has not yet been reached following the primary vaccination or due to a recent infection,

  • the number of healthcare professionals not vaccinated against COVID-19 due to a contraindication to vaccination (if known),

  • and, if possible, these numbers by type of healthcare professional (e.g., nurses, nursing assistants, etc.)

The data to be reported is available in the survey questionnaires:

The procedures for entering data are described in the user guides:

Results

Mid-campaign survey on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination

Flu Vaccination Coverage

COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage

Survey at the end of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns

Influenza vaccination coverage

COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage

See also

Previously published data on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage in healthcare facilities (ES) and specialized healthcare facilities (ESMS)

Vaccination

Vaccination

thematic dossier

Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.

Learn more