Some have rolled up their sleeves "to set an example".
Several French doctors were vaccinated in front of the cameras on Wednesday in order to fight against the skepticism of part of society towards the vaccine.
Others, on the other hand, appear more cautious.
Indeed even in the medical profession, fears - even conspiracy theories - have gained ground.
Faced with reluctance, some are calling for compulsory vaccination for caregivers.
Danny Forster, deputy director of a nursing home in the Var, sees this distrust every day in the field.
"It's a sad reality," he breathes.
Some caregivers find that there is not enough hindsight, wonder why AIDS still does not have a vaccine when one has been found against Covid, ”lists the young man.
For the more resistant, this campaign would also serve as a "test" on the elderly who have become "guinea pigs".
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As a result, according to a survey by the Federation of Hospitals and Helping People in Solidarity (Fehap), spokesperson for the non-profit private sector, carried out between November 30 and December 7, 76% of the 1,992 caregivers in Ehpad questioned do not wish to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Only 19% of respondents answered "yes".
A small majority of residents and their representatives agree to be vaccinated, with 53% "yes" and 38% "no".
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Alice, a nursing home nurse is one of the 5% still undecided.
“This vaccine was made very quickly, and even though the percentages of effectiveness seem high, do we really know all the possible side effects?
»She asks herself.
"This vaccination is still a bit vague for me," she admits.
Pedagogy in the field
Why such a situation ?
"Many caregivers get information via social networks or via TV, which does not always shed light on the viability of the vaccine," says a director of the structure who remained anonymous.
“You need a simple certificate to become a nursing assistant, there is a real lack of education,” he says.
We accelerated the procedures to recruit more, and there is a problem of level now.
"
Clément, 25, knows he will be vaccinated.
A nurse for two years in different retirement homes, he says he hears "anything and everything about vaccines".
Among his colleagues, “there are pros and cons.
I would say it's 50/50 or close, ”said the young man.
“Those who don't want to do it are afraid.
They do not say it directly, but they will not do so for lack of confidence in laboratories or researchers.
So we try to convince them, sometimes we get there, sometimes we run into a wall ”, regrets Clément.
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Danny Forster, also tries to do pedagogy with his teams.
"I try to make employees listen to reason, but I am quickly accused of being the spokesperson for the government," he says.
If the personal positions of caregivers have no effect on the decision of residents according to the director, health side, the stake is obviously important.
"We know that the Covid-19 arrives in an nursing home by caregivers," recalls the deputy director of a Var establishment.
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It is precisely because of this pressure that Mathieu * wants to be vaccinated.
“We are under pressure, with heavy responsibilities.
We are easily accused when the Covid enters a house, so I can not wait to get vaccinated to turn the page ”, notes this Lyon caregiver.
"In my nursing home there are discussions, but the majority want to be treated," he says.
"I will go on sick leave or I will resign"
Some doctors are offering a radical solution, to make vaccination compulsory for all caregivers, in nursing homes and elsewhere.
With, if they refuse, the threat of "criminal proceedings [...] but also the application
of the precautionary principle
", as Daniel Guillerm, the president of the National Federation of Nurses (FNI), wishes in a column in the Journal du Sunday.
But beyond the logistical difficulties, due to the number of doses currently available, the effect could be counterproductive.
"I do not want to be vaccinated so either I will go on sick leave or I will resign because I will not let myself be", assures Adeline, nurse in an intensive care unit in the south of France.
“I do not trust this new vaccine made by laboratories.
And even less by American laboratories ", slices the young woman, who ensures that most caregivers" think like her ".
What about the risk of infecting patients?
“We do not even know the exact role of this vaccine, every day that changes.
They say to keep it in minus 80 degrees, but does this vaccine keep well?
I don't want it for the moment, but I'm not a conspirator, ”she promises.
While the vaccine reduces the severity of the disease, scientists do not yet know if it blocks the transmission of the virus.
In any case, the nurse does not completely rule out getting vaccinated in several months “to gain perspective”, especially on side effects.
An increase in influenza vaccination
With tests carried out on tens of thousands of volunteers and then the vaccination of millions of people around the world, experts believe that any major safety problem has already been detected.
But rarer side effects, longer term or occurring only in certain patient profiles, cannot be ruled out.
For Danny Forster, making vaccination compulsory would have a "repellant" effect, which he wants to avoid at all costs.
“There is a dire shortage of personnel, that would only make the situation worse.
We must reassure, respond to fears.
We don't need this controversy, ”he argues.
Encouraging sign, in his Ephad, the flu vaccine campaign affected 40% of staff, against 20% the previous year.
A trend noted by the director of Synerpa, the national union of private establishments and residences for the elderly, cited by Les Echos.
“While we vaccinate 20 to 30% of our employees in normal times, this year, we have reached records at 50-60%.
The epidemic convinced a large part of the personnel to join the field of the vaccinated ”.
* The first name has been changed