Covid-19 in France: compulsory vaccination of caregivers more than ever studied
Worried about the progression of the Delta variant, the French authorities are considering making the vaccine compulsory for nursing staff.
Sam Yeh AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
In France, pressure is mounting on recalcitrant caregivers to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Currently, more than a third in health establishments have not had an injection and the government intends to reduce this figure, even if it means making vaccination compulsory.
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Today, more than a third of caregivers are not vaccinated and this rate exceeds 40% among professionals in retirement homes and long-term care units.
A figure which the government intends to tackle, worried by the risk of
a fourth wave
represented by
the strong progression of the Delta variant
in the country.
For this, the government is preparing a bill to make this
vaccination
compulsory
for healthcare professionals.
And at the same time, the executive consults.
Prime Minister Jean Castex will collect the opinions of associations of local elected officials and the presidents of parliamentary groups on the subject.
The bill could be submitted to parliament quickly, before the extraordinary parliamentary session ends at the end of July.
Or in September, because time might not be enough for an express adoption: the text must be presented to the Council of Ministers, then be validated by the Council of State to then be examined by the National Assembly and the Senate.
Categorical refusal of some
In any event, caregivers who refuse vaccination against
Covid-19
could therefore be forced to do so.
The vaccination obligation
is not a new principle for professionals working in healthcare establishments: it exists for other vaccines against hepatitis B or tetanus, for example.
Some countries have already taken the plunge, such as Israel and Italy.
According to the Italian decree, caregivers refractory to the Covid-19 vaccine can be relegated to tasks without contact with the sick, or even can be put on unpaid leave.
We do not know, for the moment, the sanctions planned by the French authorities with regard to those who persist in the refusal.
But they no doubt hope that the principle of obligation will win the support of recalcitrant caregivers.
Still, among them, some have warned: it will be the resignation.
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Vaccines
Coronavirus
Health and medicine