“I really make a solemn appeal, again, to caregivers who have not been vaccinated to take this step.“. The Minister of Health Olivier Véran called out to health professionals on June 17 at the microphone of BFMTV about the anti-covid vaccination. “This is important, they cannot be less vaccinated than the general population“, he continued.

Less than 60% of caregivers vaccinated in nursing homes

Indeed, at present, the vaccination coverage of caregivers is lower than that of the French: “There are 60% of French adults who have already received an injection, there are less than 60% of caregivers who work in nursing homes, this is not justifiable“, said the minister.

“I call on employers and employees in nursing homes to get vaccinated“, he asked again, warning that”if by the end of the summer that should not improve, then yes, we would ask ourselves the question of a vaccination obligation for these particular audiences“.

Read also: Covid: Should we force caregivers to be vaccinated?

“Indispensable and ethical”

“In the city, in the liberal sector, we have 85% vaccination coverage, in nursing homes we are at 50%, or in nursing homes this is where we find the most vulnerable people. I consider it essential and ethical to be vaccinated, when you are in contact with fragile people“, also commented the Minister.

Asked about caregivers at the hospital, he said “wait to see“, before concluding : “I hope that we can, in good understanding, improve this vaccination coverage for caregivers.“

The Academy of Medicine already favorable

In the spring, the question of the compulsory vaccination of caregivers had already arisen in France. And on March 9, 2021, the academy of medicine moreover affirmed that “Vaccination of caregivers against covid-19 (should) become mandatory“.

The arguments in favor of this obligation included in particular the duty of exemplary nature of these professionals and the protection of fragile patients.

To date in France, all caregivers are already required to be vaccinated against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio and hepatitis B.