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A leading representative of France鈥檚 employer union has suggested ending full sick-pay for flu cases where people have not been vaccinated against it. 

Vice-chairman of the Health Insurance Council Yves Laqueille 鈥� who represents Medef, the French employer鈥檚 union and lobby 鈥� said public authorities need to 鈥渕ake vaccination widespread in companies, particularly for flu.鈥�

鈥淕etting vaccinated against influenza contributes to public health. It is a collective effort we make to protect others,鈥� he told media outlet BFMTV, adding that France was in an 鈥榓nti-vaccination crisis鈥�. 

鈥淚f a person deliberately decides not to participate in the exercise of protecting public health, is it normal for their entire salary to be paid by the health insurance system and their employer?鈥� he added. 

The suggestion has not come with concrete plans, but is one of several proposals by Medef to reduce the social security bill amid rising debts, which have now reached 鈧�15 billion. 

Such a move would require widespread vaccination campaigns for seasonal illnesses including the flu, which usually are only freely available to elderly and at-risk people.

In the 2024-2025 winter campaign, flu vaccines cost between 鈧�6 and 鈧�10, and could be administered by pharmacists, nurses, and doctors. If choosing the latter a consultation fee also had to be paid.

Other proposals by Medef to reduce the social security bill include:

• Changing coverage and reducing the number of necessary medical appointments for long-term illnesses

• Extending the period between receiving new pairs of free hearing aids and glasses on the 100% sant茅 scheme

• Implementing 鈥榳aiting days鈥� before sick-leave payments begin for public sector workers as is the case in the private sector

All of the measures combined could save billions of euros annually, the union says. 

Note that none of the proposals have been formally accepted and are still in early phases of discussion.

Free vaccines, sick-pay reductions

For most private sector workers, sick-pay is paid by social security from the fourth day of an illness provided the employer receives a sick-note signed by a doctor. Payment is a maximum of 50% of their daily salary or 鈧�52.28 per day (whichever is lower).

Those who have worked at their company for more than a year receive top-up payments from their employer, reaching up to 90%, or in some certain cases 100%.

Some departments and companies have more generous rules, which you can read about here. 

Plans by Medef could theoretically see these state payouts decreased or removed entirely for those who do not receive annual vaccinations. 

In 2023-2024, only 47.7% of the population received a flu vaccine, lower than the previous three years (which all saw a 鈥榮ymbolic鈥� vaccination rate 50% or more achieved). 

Medef argues that vaccination against such illnesses should be made 鈥榳idespread鈥�, with companies engaging in vaccine drives for their employees. 

It wants to 鈥渋nitiate a discussion on incentives for employees and鈥� 100% coverage by compulsory health insurance for important vaccines targeted by national campaigns.鈥�

This would probably include flu and Covid-19. 

Following from this, it argues that people who do not take up these vaccines and are then struck down by a related illness should not benefit from sick-leave payments. 

There are no concrete figures on how much such schemes could save from the annual social security budget, although it is estimated that it would reduce absenteeism by a factor of 2.4, resulting in around 4.6 fewer annual sick-days per employee on average.

The union also highlighted other potential benefits to the workplace including reducing 鈥渉idden costs such as replacements, training and overtime, an improvement of quality of life at work and the attractiveness of companies,鈥� the latter of which is the most important factor for 42% of people when looking for a job, Medef says.

Nearly seven in ten employees also say they feel more comfortable if their company runs a vaccination drive. 

What do you think about the plans? Do you think it would be fair to reduce sick pay for flu patients who are not vaccinated? Share your views via feedback@connexionfrance.com