compulsory vaccination?

No thank you!

Wave of layoffs in Bavaria's clinics and homes - "Then we have a problem"

Created: 2/1/2022Updated: 2/1/2022 10:07 p.m

By: Sascha Karowski, Armin Geier

The corona vaccination obligation for medical professions and nursing staff will be introduced on March 16th.

© Christian Charisius/dpa

With the approaching corona vaccination obligation, there is growing concern about an imminent shortage of staff in hospitals and nursing homes.

right?

Affected people express themselves.

Munich – March 16th is probably the deadline for care. Then a Corona* vaccination could also apply in Bavaria*. As? That is unclear. Health Minister Klaus Holetschek said on Tuesday (January 1) that a Bavarian special path could not be ruled out. Whatever that means. Should vaccination become mandatory, clinics, homes and outpatient care services fear serious consequences.

As the employment agency announced on Tuesday (February 1), 4,109 employees in the care sector have already registered as looking for work in Bavaria alone in December and January.

That is 171 percent more than in the same period a year ago.

It is not clear whether this is only due to the impending obligation to vaccinate *, because the industry is groaning under the pandemic.

Employees are overloaded and often at the end of their strength.

Munich's clinics, homes and outpatient services expect further layoffs.

Bavaria: Does compulsory vaccination cause a wave of layoffs in clinics and homes?

experts warn

In any case, politicians in Munich * are alarmed, ÖDP faction leader Tobias Ruff made a request on February 1st.

Mayor Dieter Reiter* (SPD) should explain how the city is preparing for compulsory vaccination and how many layoffs can be expected.

"Experts from the German Nursing Council warn of care problems, since there is already a shortage of staff in the industry and any imminent dismissal will further aggravate the supply situation," says Ruff.

The vaccination rate for the staff of the Munich hospitals is at least 90 percent.

The Munich clinic wants to achieve a 100 percent quota before vaccination becomes mandatory.

"In February there will be more special information and talks to counter individual fears, for example due to previous illnesses," says a spokeswoman.

The procedure on the right of the Isar is similar: "We are currently getting an overview of the motives of employees and offer, among other things, individual consultations with supervisors and doctors," says a spokeswoman at the request of our newspaper.

If it is not possible to convince all employees by the time vaccination becomes mandatory, they are legally obliged to report those affected to the responsible lower health authority.

"This then decides on how to proceed and the measures to be taken."

Corona compulsory vaccination: from the head of the nursing service to the manager of the home – that’s what those affected say

Petra Wolge wants to forestall that. The 57-year-old has been a pediatric nurse for 30 years. Now she has decided to quit her job. “I feel like caregivers have always been expected to function during the pandemic. At the same time, nothing has improved in terms of the general conditions.” She now feels pressured by the obligation to vaccinate. She is aware that it may be irrational: after all, there are studies that say the vaccine is safe. "But I'm just a little afraid of it."

Armin Heil has been working in nursing for 25 years.

"But I've never experienced a situation like this before," says the head of outpatient nursing in Tutzing.

"Compulsory vaccination would bring absolute collapse." There are already hardly any skilled workers in geriatric care, and the stress caused by Corona puts everyone under even more pressure.

“I currently have six professionals in quarantine.

If someone still fires me now because vaccinations are coming up, then I look black.” Armin Heil is certain that a total of around ten percent of the skilled workers would then turn their backs on the strenuous job.

"This law plan must therefore be postponed urgently."

(Our Munich newsletter regularly informs you about all the important stories from the Isar metropolis. Register here.)

Corona vaccination obligation in health professions - "Then we have a problem"

Ingrid Greif does not believe that many employees will leave* because of the vaccination requirement.

The 56-year-old is chairwoman of the general works council of the city hospitals and has been working as a nurse for almost 33 years.

"It will be a small group that will be affected by the obligation to vaccinate." Nevertheless: If the health department then decides that these employees have to go, "then we have a problem".

After all, the staffing level is already thin.

But she also knows that some colleagues are still waiting for the new vaccine.

The head of the Munich Foundation, Sigi Benker, is clear for compulsory vaccination – but for everyone.

"I would have found that more correct than now compulsory vaccination only for nursing staff." Nevertheless, he has no understanding for geriatric nurses who have experienced what Corona can do but do not get vaccinated.

Overall, around 97 percent of the workforce has been vaccinated or recovered*.

"Nevertheless, there are about five employees per house who do not want to be vaccinated and will probably leave the company." Benker estimates that a total of around 45 to 50 employees will leave.

In total, the Münchenstift has over 2000 employees.