The Academy of Medicine expressed this Tuesday its “firm opposition” to the reintegration of caregivers not vaccinated against Covid, judging that a “change of course” would harm the “climate of trust” between caregivers and with patients, fragile patients, without solving the difficulties. of the hospital
“The opportunity to reinstate suspended caregivers for not getting vaccinated (against Covid-19) was mentioned during the debates in the National Assembly,” the Academy of Medicine wanted to update, through a press release.
“Any refusal to be vaccinated motivated by personal convictions is respectable, but incompatible with the profession of caretaker,” he alleges in the first place.
It also underlines that “the decrease in the efficacy of vaccines to prevent infection and spread by new variants of SARS-CoV-2 cannot justify the reincorporation of the unvaccinated: current vaccines retain residual efficacy against transmission, that must be complemented with strict respect for barrier gestures in health environments”.
Protecting the “fragile sick”
“None of the repeated arguments (lack of efficacy, adverse effects, lack of hindsight, etc.) can scientifically validate the refusal to be vaccinated, true medical contraindications for vaccination being very rare”, continues the Academy of Medicine.
Finally, “vaccination continues to be very effective against the different variants and subvariants to protect against severe forms of Covid-19, making it exceptional to recognize severe Covid-19 as an occupational disease in vaccinated caregivers.” grades
Another argument put forward by the Academy of Medicine: “The reinsertion of unvaccinated health professionals in the health team would compromise the climate of trust and cohesion that should exist between its members and with patients.” Plus, “it would endanger fragile patients,” he adds.
François Braun speaks of a “thorny issue”
In addition, “since it is only a very limited number of caregivers, it would not solve the current difficulties of operating the hospital.” The Academy therefore expresses “its firm opposition to a reversal” that would affect only 0.3% of hospital professionals, caregivers and non-carers, according to a figure attributed to the French Federation of Hospitals.
The government seems to have evolved slightly thanks to the debate on its so-called health surveillance and security bill. After having affirmed before the National Assembly that the issue was still “not topical”, the Minister of Health, François Braun, announced last week in the Senate the referral of several authorities on this “thorny issue”.
“The staff is exhausted”
Questioned again on Tuesday during the questions to the government, the Minister of Health mentioned the position of the Academy of Medicine and reaffirmed having taken possession of the High Authority of Health.
“In light of your comments, and as I am committed, we will be able to objectify the situation and make an informed decision,” François Braun replied to LR deputy Yannick Neuder, after reaffirming that the anti-Covid vaccination was a ” mass protection weapon. ” and “few” unvaccinated caregivers.
The elect from Isère responded by asking for “pragmatic things so that our hospitals, our nursing homes and our firefighters can spend the summer in better conditions, the staff is exhausted”.
Source: BFM TV