Both Daemen and Reuter stated that they can sense a great fear among people. In intensive care, non-vaccinated patients, who are experiencing severe courses of the disease or even end up dying, are difficult to work with because there is always this nagging thought that they could have protected themselves, Reuter explained.
All guests agreed that the spreading of misinformation must be stopped. But hospital workers also want to understand why patients refused to get vaccinated. If they ask them, they often find out that many are still driven by fear, despite the fact that the vaccination campaign has been underway for about a year. Their fear is usually based on information they read online or were told by others. And there are even people who are still convinced that the virus either does not exist at all or is not dangerous. Reuter stressed that the moment these people arrive in an intensive care unit, their whole world view shatters.
Regarding those opposed to vaccination, Cloos stressed that besides those who are afraid, there is a small minority that he would describe as “narcissists”, who revel in the attention they are getting and with whom it is pointless to argue.
Dr Buchler revealed that the Medical Board is considering a second disciplinary procedure against Dr Benoit Ochs, seeing as the latter continues spreading misinformation and has even “taken it a step further” compared to his earlier controversial statements. Specifically, Dr Buchler explained that in the eyes of the Medical Board, Dr Ochs is “scaring people” and his statements are “without a doubt aimed against public health”.
For many, their mental health has also taken a toll during the pandemic, as psychiatrist Jean-Marc Cloos pointed out. In the case of adolescents, for instance, the coronavirus situation has led to an increase in eating disorders. Adolescent psychiatry wards are even struggling to take all of the young patients in.
Daemen, who has been administering Covid-19 jabs for one year, still hopes for more people to come to the vaccination centres to get their first dose, as Luxembourg is still struggling in that area. The nurse stressed that it is paramount to convince people who still have concerns that vaccination is “the only solution”.
Healthcare workers who are questioning science may need to ask themselves if they are working in the right sector, Reuter argued.
According to Cloos, a vaccine mandate in specific sectors would not necessarily solve the problem. On the other hand, Cloos thinks that a general vaccine mandate for adults and adolescents is worth considering, as it would help protect those who are unable to get vaccinated as well as children.
