The obligation to vaccinate health workers is not unanimous in the network, even if most of those encountered by The newspaper believe that it could have a positive impact on the fourth wave.
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“We saw how the first waves affected us in the health network, it brought us down. So, it is sure that it can have a positive effect, ”believes Laurianne Côté, nurse at the Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, in Quebec City.
“But it’s still a drastic measure. It’s dangerous to play on people’s freedoms, ”she continues.
These remarks echo those of the majority of the establishment’s employees met by The newspaper at the end of their shift, Tuesday afternoon. Generally, we say we agree with the measure, but remain reluctant to force workers to be vaccinated against their will.
Photo Jérémy Bernier
Vinicius Viera Careli, nurse at the Hospital of the Child Jesus
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“It would help us get out of the pandemic faster, but the right to choose is also important,” says nurse Vinicius Viera Careli.
Risk of shortage aggravated
Some also expect this obligation to have consequences for the workforce, which has already been undermined with the pandemic.
Remember that from 1is October, all employees who work with patients for more than 15 minutes and who have not received their second dose will not be able to work.
“It can be a double-edged knife, we could lose arms when we need more,” said Véronique Matte, nursing assistant.
“We have had a lot of resignations since the start of the pandemic,” says Laurianne Côté. Already the conditions are not great, I can not imagine if we force people to be vaccinated. ”
Unions on their guard
The various unions representing health workers reacted quickly to Mr. Legault’s announcement on Tuesday. Like the employees questioned by The newspaper, they say they fear the perverse effects of this measure.
“Hell is paved with good intentions and despite the goodwill of the Prime Minister, the risk of worsening the labor shortage is real”, says the president of the Centrale des unions du Québec (CSQ), Éric Gingras.
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