The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, declared that the vaccination obligation for healthcare workers will be well applied in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon despite the record vaccination rate of the population.
Read alsoThese caregivers determined to escape the vaccine obligation, even if it means losing their job
"
The vaccination obligation must apply to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
", replied the minister to Senator RDSE Stéphane Artano who asked that this French archipelago in the North Atlantic be exempted.
"
If there are salary suspensions, they will be immediately lifted as soon as these 13 employees and these five or six firefighters have chosen to protect themselves and those they care for on a daily basis
", a- he added.
90% vaccination rate
Véran welcomed the “
extraordinary commitment
” of the population of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, which has a 90% vaccination rate.
But he recalled that the territory has only "
two resuscitation beds
" and "
we have seen with the previous waves in the overseas territories, with the geographical distance, as it is complicated to face an epidemic wave of this magnitude
”.
Read also Vaccination obligation: should we fear a shortage of caregivers in hospitals and nursing homes?
For the Minister of Health, “
it is not only a question of protecting these caregivers who are by definition more exposed, which is why they are called upon to receive a third dose of vaccine, but above all because they are in contact with people. fragile, sick and that we have had enough grouped cases of clusters in hospitals, the Ephad, to know that we must make them sanctuaries
”.
"
The laws of the Republic apply everywhere, with the exception of states of health emergency which already require a strong mobilization in the hospital
", recalled Véran.
The vaccination obligation for healthcare professionals has been delayed by a few weeks in the West Indies and Guyana, but it is encountering opposition, even hostility, from part of the population.