The National Assembly adopted Thursday at first reading a text to repeal the anti-Covid vaccination obligation for caregivers, rather than simply suspending this obligation, as planned by the government. Jean-Victor Castor (Guyana) MP from the majority communist group’s bill was adopted by 157 votes to 137, with the support of the various opposition groups, against the government’s opinion.
Health Minister François Braun deplored a “regrettable message sent by this Assembly to caregivers”, which will “weaken our response capacity” in the event of a new epidemic. The text must still be studied in the Senate. The government has already announced its desire to reinstate unvaccinated caregivers, after an opinion issued to this effect by the High Authority for Health (HAS). According to a ministerial instruction consulted by AFP, they will be considered reinstated “the day after” the publication of a decree scheduled for May 14.
“By preferring suspension to deletion, you are reinforcing health insecurity that these French people cannot afford”, especially in “overseas territories”, where “we cannot deprive ourselves of any health personnel”, launched to the minister the deputy of Guadeloupe Olivier Serva (Liot group). “The refusal of vaccination is the refusal of science. You are turning your back on science, ”said MoDem MP Philippe Vigier. His colleague from the presidential majority Frédéric Valletoux (Horizons group) attacked a text that will “foster anti-vaccine sentiment”.
“Don’t deprive us of protection,” François Braun unsuccessfully demanded of the deputies. “I reiterate the respect we have for scientists, for vaccination”, insisted in the hemicycle the national secretary of the PCF Fabien Roussel, while calling for the repeal, so that a possible new vaccination obligation necessarily passes through Parliament, not by decree.
