Covid-19: authorized screening and vaccination for occupational doctors

HEALTH – The ordinance was adopted by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday 2 December. The government announced that occupational doctors would be allowed to participate in screening and vaccination.

According to the text, “the occupational doctor and, under his supervision, other health workers of the occupational health services” can “prescribe and perform, under the conditions and in the manner provided for by the decree, examinations for the detection of SARS-CoV -2”.

Occupational health services are also authorized to participate in “state-defined vaccination” actions, without specifying the modalities at this stage.

Provisions applicable until April 16, 2021

The occupational doctor can also “prescribe and, if necessary, renew the interruption of work in the event of infection or suspected infection with Covid-19”. It can also establish a medical certificate for vulnerable employees for the purpose of their inclusion in partial activity, in application of the law on health emergency.

A decree must establish the terms of application of these requirements and determine the exceptions or special conditions for employees subject to appropriate or regular monitoring or enhanced individual monitoring. All these provisions are applicable until April 16, 2021.

Possible postponement of medical examinations

Furthermore, the medical examinations that must be carried out within the companies as part of the individual monitoring of the state of health can be postponed under the conditions defined by decree of the Council of State, except when the occupational doctor deems it essential to continue the visit, taking into account in particular the state of health of the worker or the characteristics of his workplace.

The postponement of this visit “does not preclude hiring or resuming work”, the text specifies. Postponed medical examinations must be organized by the occupational health services within one year of the deadline.

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