France suspends 3,000 healthcare workers failing to get COVID vaccine

France: About 3,000 workers in the healthcare sector have been suspended in France for failing to vaccinate against the COVID-19 vaccination before the deadline, Health Minister Olivier Véran announced.

"Yesterday, about 3,000 suspensions were served to staff in health and social care facilities who have not yet undergone a vaccination course," Véran told RTL radio on Thursday morning. The minister stressed that "the continuity of care and the security of care and quality of care in all hospitals and social services are ensured", although some services — mostly technical services such as MRI or coronary angiogram services — have been affected for some hours.

He indicated that the sector has 2.7 million employees and that 'a large number' of these 3,000 suspensions are 'only temporary.

He stressed that the suspensions particularly affect support staff, with some white coats among them.

"There are at this stage a few dozen resignations recorded in the country," he also announced.

President Emmanuel Macron made the mid-July vaccination compulsory for health care workers, with a deadline set for September 15, restaurants, cultural and leisure venues - and the end of free COVID tests, unless prescribed by a doctor.

This has led to a boost in vaccinations, but also to weekly protests across the country with protesters rejecting the health pass and compulsory vaccination as 'liberticide'.

About 84% of French adults are now fully vaccinated. The country has also opened vaccinations for children 12 years and older and is starting to give boost shots to vulnerable people.

According to Santé Publique France, 84% of caregivers in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities were fully vaccinated by September 7, with a 91.1% increase for self-employed medical workers, including GPs and nurses.