Reactions to Macron’s speech: rush to the vaccination appointments

Compulsory vaccination for nursing staff and tests or other evidence of admission to many facilities – the announced restrictions in France are followed by a record run of vaccination appointments.

This has never happened before. A record number of vaccination registrations. Over 20 million French people listened to their president’s speech yesterday and many of them acted, as Stanislas Niox-Chateau, co-founder of the Doctolib website, confirms: “926,000 French people booked a vaccination appointment on Doctolib yesterday evening. 7.5 million times were ours Website clicked during Macron’s speech and in the hours after. ” Two-thirds of the rendezvous were booked by people under 35, adds Niox-Chateau. But that is also logical. “Because 80 percent of those over 50 are vaccinated.”

Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had declared that a new race against time had begun. “A summer of mobilization for vaccination. That is what we must aim for.” Vaccination is now mandatory for healthcare workers. Employees in hospitals and nursing homes as well as workers who are in contact with high-risk patients have until mid-September. And then?

Unvaccinated people can be discharged

Health Minister Olivier Véran said that employers, health insurers and health authorities would be carrying out checks from September 15. If someone does not comply with the rules, he can be put on unpaid leave. “He is no longer paid, is no longer allowed to work in contact with patients without being discharged.” The new law, which will be presented to parliament, allows up to a month and a half before a new examination. “If the person concerned remains unvaccinated, he can be discharged,” said Véran.

In nursing homes and hospitals, only around two thirds of the staff have received at least one dose. Possible sanctions therefore affect 1.5 million people. Nursing staff are already desperately looking for.

“I don’t want to get vaccinated because I don’t trust the vaccine,” said one woman in a first reaction. Another asks, “What if I want to have a child? Doesn’t that affect the child’s health?” You shouldn’t force anyone to vaccinate, says a nurse. “I’d rather change my job. I have family members who work in this area. They want to leave. That’s the only reason.”

In some regions incidences over 50 again

The other side of the coin is confirmed by an intensive care doctor at the Avicenne Hospital in Bobigny on French television: none of his intensive care patients have been vaccinated. The delta variant predominates in France, the incidences are increasing and in some regions have already exceeded the 50 mark again. President Macron is therefore also tightening the corona rules.

From July 21st, a negative corona test, vaccination or recovery certificate will be required in the cinema or theater. This applies as soon as more than 50 people come together. Proof is currently only required if there are more than 1000 people.

From August, proof will also be mandatory in long-distance trains, bars, restaurants, shopping centers, when visiting hospitals and nursing homes. An urgent law must be passed for this. That was hell in everyday life, so a headline on French news television.

And the general director of the cinema chain CGR Cinémas, Jocelyn Bouyssy is not happy either. On the contrary: “I’m angry. I slept badly. From next week, culture will again be primarily affected. This is a major blow!”

Vaccination should also ensure economic growth

Macron did not rule out a general vaccination requirement in his speech. Politically, that could fall on his feet, no matter how justified it is due to the pandemic, according to the authorities. Because last November, France’s head of state declared that he would not make vaccination compulsory.

Presidential elections are due next year. In his speech, Macron confirmed his will to reform. A newly designed unemployment insurance that the unions are fighting against is coming, but the pension reform will only be tackled when the Corona is under control. According to Macron, there will also be a vaccination campaign for schoolchildren in the new school year. Without successful vaccination, six percent economic growth and ultimately France’s future would be at stake.