The French authorities face opposition from tens of thousands of health workers and carers Wednesday over a new rule requiring them to receive a Covid-19 vaccine or face suspension without pay.
Starting Wednesday, medical workers and people caring for the elderly or infirm in their homes must be able to prove they have had at least one shot of a vaccine, according to French media.
Even though French President Emmanuel Macron issued the ultimatum two months ago, tens of thousands of carers remain unvaccinated.
In response to this issue, the hardline CGT, one of France's biggest public-sector unions, has warned of a "health catastrophe" if the government suspends large numbers of health workers and bars private-sector doctors from practicing.
Notably, France is not the first country to take steps to force people working with the vulnerable to get vaccinated.
last week, the US administration made vaccines mandatory for millions of federal employees and contractors as well as businesses with over 100 employees.
Similarly, the Italian government made the vaccine compulsory for health workers in late May and plans to expand the measure to retirement home staff in October, whereas Greece has already introduced it to both categories of carers.
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