French health professionals who have not been immunized against the Covid-19 virus have been suspended.
A new vaccination regulation went into effect on Wednesday, requiring the country’s 2.7 million health, care home, and fire service workers to get vaccinated.
It was revealed on Thursday that “most of the bans are just temporary,” according to French Health Minister Olivier Véran.
A growing number of people are willing to be vaccinated because they “understand that the vaccine obligation is a reality,” he added.
All physicians, nurses, office workers, and volunteers are subject to the regulation, which does not discriminate.
On the 12th of July, President Emmanuel Macron notified employees of the regulation change, reminding them that they must have at least one vaccination by the 15th of September.
Then, he explained, “I am well aware of what I am asking of you, and I know that you are ready for this commitment, this is part of your sense of responsibility”.
Because so many individuals sought to get appointments after President Macron’s announcement, Doctolib, the website they use to book their shots, collapsed.
In spite of this, many of people refuse to obtain the vaccination, causing concerns about a disruption to healthcare services.
Around 450 staff have been suspended from one hospital in Nice, southern France, resulting in protests outside the facility.
Some hospitals have already begun canceling non-urgent procedures in Montélimar due to a scarcity of anaesthetists who have been immunized, according to the AFP news agency.
As an emergency physician and left-wing MP, Christophe Prudhomme believes that these persons should be kept on the job until they are replaced.
The continuity of treatment and security of care, as well as the quality of care, were ensured in all hospitals and medico-social facilities yesterday, Mr Véran told French radio RTL on Thursday, although some services, such as MRI scans, were temporarily disrupted.
He went on to say that “few white coats” have been affected by the suspensions, as well as support workers.