Did Olivier Véran really back down on the vaccine obligation in Guadeloupe and Martinique? – LCI

According to them, they have just won a battle. Activists opposed to vaccination have been congratulating for several days on Olivier Véran’s decision to grant a grace period to caregivers in the West Indies to comply with the vaccination obligation, which comes into force this Wednesday, September 13 in France. So, has the Minister of Health really “retreated” on the vaccine obligation under the pressure of anti-vaccine?

“We won in Guadeloupe!”, its glad this Sunday on Twitter an anti-vaccine user on Twitter. She assures us that vaccination against Covid-19 is no longer compulsory in Guadeloupe. Except that his message is misleading. Indeed, Olivier Véran has pushed back the vaccination obligation for caregivers of “the only overseas territories affected by the fourth wave”. Asked about the issue during a press briefing on August 26, the Minister of Health justified this postponement by the health situation. “Considering the epidemic situation and the total mobilization of all caregivers (…) to save as many lives as possible in difficult conditions, we were not going to add to them the constraint of compulsory vaccination during the period”, he pleaded, as we can hear in this video (from the 44ᵉ minute). Information confirmed by his firm which mentions to LCI.fr the “health situation” of these territories which “requires preserving the care of patients”.

However, the Minister did point out – and this, on numerous occasions – that this obligation was going to be put in place as soon as the epidemic situation would allow it. “It will take place”, he promised, once these departments have passed “on the other side of the wave” epidemic caused by the Delta variant.

Asked about a future schedule, the minister’s office was unable to give us a date. “These special arrangements (…) must end as soon as the situation allows”, we were simply reminded, noting in passing that they have “not intended to be indefinite”. “This is not a waiver, nor a postponement. It is a management measure in view of the situation.”

Proof that this obligation will be well implemented in these territories in the future, the Minister defended it tooth and nail, recalling at the same press conference that this measure “has been voted” with a “broad consensus on the side of parliamentarians”. “It is supported by all professional orders, federations of establishments, university colleges and by a good number of unions”, he listed to support his point. Therefore, for the executive, no reason to back down. “The law will apply. With pedagogy, but it will apply”, launched Olivier Véran, uncompromising.

Do you want to ask us questions or provide us with information that you think is unreliable? Do not hesitate to write to us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Twitter: our team is there behind the @ verif_TF1LCI account.