The High Authority for Health (HAS) aligns with the High Council of Public Health (HCSP) by founding the vaccination strategy against pandemic flu on the same criteria as those defined in 2012, namely criteria of severity and transmission.
However, she adds that “The definition of clinical severity criteria (proportion of consultations resulting in hospitalization, number of patients admitted to resuscitation, number of deaths …) will have to be updated at the time of the pandemic». Same recommendation for the intensity thresholds of validated indicators of transmissibility and impact. The latter must be updated by Public Health France with regard to the available epidemiological data.
The teachings of previous pandemics
The High Authority for Health rests its analyzes on a review of recommendations abroad and also On the main lessons of pandemics caused by the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in 2009 and the SARS-COV-2 (COVVI-19) in 2020. She notes that “These events highlighted the importance of a proactive and continuous preparation, including the revision of response plans, improving communication on risks and a transformation of global mechanisms for the development, production and distribution of vaccines in order to guarantee equitable and rapid access».
In addition to an update of previous recommendations, the Directorate General of Health entrusted the HAS the mission of “Classify among the target populations, those to be vaccinated as a priority, by anticipating a possible limitation of the availability of vaccines». High authority therefore encourages “Priority vaccination of persons at risk of complications, health personnel and laboratory staff in contact with patients and samples or viral strains, and whatever the level of severity and transmissibility». It also recommends vaccination of the population at risk of transmission only in the event of gravity and high transmission of the disease.
In the event of low transmission and high severity, the HAS remains cautious, believing that “The decision to resort to the vaccination of the entire population must be evaluated in real time, By integrating criteria such as the availability of vaccines, their benefit-risk balance, operational capacities and population acceptability».
Balance benefit-risk
As for children, so far designated as a population at societal risk due to their potential role in the transmission of the virus, the HAS no longer considers the level of transmission as a priority. She does not defend children’s vaccination that in case of “severe form identified in the pediatric population and/or to avoid the negative impacts of a school closure on their education and mental health». Here too it offers a reassessment of the benefit-risk balance depending on the situation. It is therefore a strategy with vaccine recommendations adjusted according to the evolution of the health situation that it favors.
Another clarification is the use of antivirals and barriers that completes this vaccination program. Finally, the pandemic situation does not exclude the maintenance of vaccination recommendations against seasonal flu.
Find here the HAS recommendations on the strategy to adopt in the face of the Gippal Pandemic.