Vaccination of caregivers: an "ethical requirement" for the Order of Physicians

While the vaccination of caregivers against Covid-19 is still considered too insufficient, the Order of Physicians called on Saturday for an "ethical requirement" and a "duty to set an example".

Only around 30% of caregivers are vaccinated today.

On Friday, the Minister of Health "solemnly" called on nursing staff to be vaccinated.

The vaccination of caregivers against Covid-19, still considered very insufficient by the government, is "an ethical requirement", said the Order of Physicians on Saturday, which calls on their "duty to set an example".

"The protection of patients is a fundamental professional duty of physicians as of all caregivers," said the Order in a statement. 

>> LIVE

- Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation on Saturday March 6

"While all caregivers are now eligible for vaccination against Covid-19, being vaccinated is therefore an ethical requirement that is imposed on all, vaccination considerably reducing the chains of transmission of the virus", continues the text.

"This requirement is all the more essential since the caregivers, in whom the French have great confidence, have more than ever a duty to set an example which falls to them", writes the Order. 

>> READ ALSO

- Annoyed by Véran's letter, caregivers want "a more effective vaccine" than AstraZeneca

Nearly 27,000 patients caught the coronavirus in hospital

Only around 30% of caregivers are vaccinated today, a ratio which "is not enough" underlined the Minister of Health Olivier Véran, while Prime Minister Jean Castex has them "solemnly" called upon to protect himself.

The risk of nosocomial infection is real: nearly 27,000 patients caught the coronavirus in hospital between January 1, 2020 and February 14, 2021, according to Public Health France, which lists "186 related deaths".

The Order of Physicians "would like to salute the doctors, more than two thirds of whom have already met this requirement and accomplished their duty" and reminds those "who have not yet done so that it is urgent that 'they get vaccinated to protect patients. "