So far, only 30 percent of employees in the Italian health sector have received the booster.
(Photo: imago images / Pacific Press Agency)
Moscow, Athens, Paris, Rome Nurses, doctors and pharmacists in Italy have had to be vaccinated since April, in private and state institutions, in hospitals, medical practices and nursing homes. Anyone who refuses will be suspended from duty – without a salary. What did the measure bring? And what is the experience like in France, Greece and Russia, where there are similar models?
In Italy, the vaccination numbers of employees shot up quickly, the rate was already 98 percent in June. The number of infections in old people’s homes fell sharply. Today there are still 1656 unvaccinated among the medical community, according to data from the Fnomceo Association.
522 doctors had decided to vaccinate after a suspension. According to the government, 1.84 percent of those working in the health sector were unvaccinated at the end of September. However, the number of vaccination breakthroughs among staff has recently increased.
In the coming days, Rome will therefore decide on a mandatory booster vaccination for the health sector. “We have no time to lose,” said Health Minister Roberto Speranza. So far, only around 30 percent of employees have received the booster dose.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
Greece: Still five percent unvaccinated
In Greece, vaccination has been mandatory for all health professions since September. In addition to the approximately 116,000 employees in the public health system, it also affects all private clinics, resident doctors and private care facilities. Even administrative employees must be vaccinated. Without a vaccination one is sent on unpaid leave.
In mid-August, around 83 percent of those affected were vaccinated. The rate is now more than 95 percent. But that also means: Almost five percent are still unvaccinated and exempted. Around 5,300 state employees are affected, including almost 450 medical professionals.
The exemptions exacerbate the already tense staff situation in the clinics, which also lack intensive care beds. Health Minister Thanos Plevris therefore appeals to resident doctors to temporarily report to clinics. If there are not enough volunteers, the ministry wants to force about 100 private doctors.
In private nursing homes, the number of new infections reported has fallen significantly since the introduction of mandatory vaccination. In the event of violations, the operators face fines of 50,000 euros. In the case of repetition, a fine of 200,000 euros is due.
France: penalties up to and including prison
After the number of infections rose sharply in early summer, French President Emmanuel Macron announced mandatory vaccination for health professionals in July. From mid-September, nurses, doctors and employees in hospitals and old people’s homes had to show at least one vaccination dose, and from mid-October complete vaccination protection. Around 2.7 million employees are affected by the measure.
The vaccination rates in the affected occupational groups are now well over 90 percent. Health Minister Olivier Véran concluded at the end of October: “We have an extraordinarily high vaccination coverage among the employees of the health facilities and a very low proportion of suspensions or dismissals.”
His ministry announced in October that around 15,000 employees had meanwhile been released from work. As in Greece and Italy, there is no salary for them. Facilities that fail to vaccinate staff risk fines. Even freelance doctors can expect a fine. Repeat offenders face up to six months in prison.
Russia: Kremlin provides rule patchwork
In Russia, vaccination has long been voluntary. When the campaign came to a standstill at the beginning of summer and the number of infections rose again, the authorities increased the pressure – and introduced compulsory vaccinations for certain professional groups. These primarily included medical staff, teachers and employees of public institutions.
Vaccine skepticism is widespread in the country. Surveys show that even in medical circles around 30 percent are skeptics. In order not to cause popular dissatisfaction, the Kremlin shifted responsibility to the regions.
This has created a real patchwork of regulations. In Moscow, for example, the health department initially prescribed a vaccination quota of 60 percent for staff, but the quota has now been increased to 80 percent. In other regions, without exception, everyone who does not have a medical certificate must be vaccinated. A refusal is considered a possible reason for dismissal. Applicants without a vaccination certificate will not get a job.
More: 3G rule in the world of work: this is how the measure works in Italian companies.