Vaccination obligation for caregivers in New Aquitaine: “No one will fall through the cracks” – South West

Any unvaccinated general practitioner, who encourages his patient to refuse the vaccine, violates the code of ethics and now French law. Several times. The first because he did not respect his own vaccination obligation, the second because he did not observe the public health code. Even today, in New Aquitaine out of 6,500 practicing general practitioners, 170 have not provided proof of their vaccination status. And, out of 5,023 specialist doctors, 123 are still unvaccinated.

“Ultra minority” underlines Benoît Elleboode, director general of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional health agency, but if we add to these, health professionals from public hospitals, nursing homes, physiotherapists, midwives , dentists, paramedics, speech therapists… it’s starting to get crowded. Preferring to remind the trains that arrive on time, Benoît Elleboode, during a press conference in Bordeaux gave the figures for the vaccination coverage of liberal health professionals as of September 7 in the region: 95% have at least benefited from ‘a 1st dose. In the lead, Haute-Vienne with 97.1%, the Landes bring up the rear with 92.2%. Professionals working in EHPAD, count around 90% of vaccinated in the region: the Landes are still at their lowest, with 86.6% while the Charente tops out at 93%.

The obligation is perpetuated

The figures are still incomplete, including in the hospitals of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which have not provided their latest statistics. Either way, the government’s ultimatum has been reached. “From Wednesday, the vaccination obligation will be a condition of exercise, insists Benoît Elleboode. And those who thought they still had some time ahead of them, hoping that the obligation would be lifted in a few weeks, are wrong. Because the obligation is perpetuated. Those who imagined that the state would give in for fear of a collapse of the health care system were wrong. “

From September 16, or even September 17, we will be able to make a precise inventory. Meetings will be organized in each department to deal with critical situations.

If the regional health agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine affirms that the 10% of non-vaccinated are not likely to shake the health system, “no collapse in sight” fuels the director-general, devices to overcome the shortages of staff at some sites are already being considered. “As during the Covid epidemic, we will call for reinforcements if necessary, the white plan is maintained, in order to authorize the deprogramming of non-urgent care if necessary, he said. From September 16, or even September 17, we will be able to make a precise inventory. Meetings will be organized in each department to deal with critical situations. “

“The checks will be unannounced”

What will happen to health professionals who have resisted the vaccination obligation to the end? “Employees will be suspended from September 15, and will no longer be paid, announces Benoît Elleboode, if they change their minds, they will return to their jobs. For the liberals, on the other hand, the ARS organizes a large system of unannounced checks. Clearly, two control officers will go unexpectedly to the office of a doctor, nurse, midwife, even if there are patients in the waiting room. If the doctor still does not have his first dose, he will be fined € 135, penalties of up to six months in prison. “

All checks for non-compliance in New Aquitaine, will lead directly to the disciplinary chamber

To justify this position, the director general of the ARS puts forward the term “sacred union” between all health actors, health insurance supervisors, orders, the public and the private sector. The observations made by around 200 ARS control agents throughout the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region will be relentless. Doctor Florence Graneri, vice-president of the Order of regional doctors comments: “The doctor who is not vaccinated, who refuses to make a vaccine, establishes a false vaccination certificate will be subject to sanctions, because he no longer meets the code of ethics. Before arriving at the penal sanctions, or the prohibition to exercise, there will be a conciliation. “Benoît Elleboode bangs his fist on the table:” all checks for non-compliance in New Aquitaine, will lead directly to the disciplinary chamber. No one will fall through the cracks. “

An announcement tempered by Jean-Luc Delabant, secretary of the liberal doctors URPS Aquitaine: “1 to 1.5% of anti-ax doctors is manageable. On the other hand, caregivers under the age of 65 who have been vaccinated since January, feel very little protected against the variant of Covid. We hope for a 3rd dose as soon as possible and that concerns us. “