Despite a devastating first wave of Covid, Haut-Rhin is still the least vaccinated department against Covid in the Grand Est. 71% of its inhabitants have received at least one dose of the vaccine. A reject which does not clash for this historically little vaccinated department for socio-economic and ideological reasons.
In the underprivileged classes, we vaccinate less
Doctor Patrick Vogt, general practitioner in Mulhouse, wonders in particular about the importance of the living conditions of the unvaccinated: “Is it because of a higher poverty rate? We know that in the underprivileged classes, in immigrant populations, we get vaccinated less”.
As shown in this detailed map of vaccination by public establishments for inter-municipal cooperation (EPCI). The agglomeration of Mulhouse has the lowest rate of first injections in the department (67.1%). It is home to particularly disadvantaged populations. The unemployment rate is 18.3% in Mulhouse. One in three people live below the poverty line.
To the south, the anti-vaccine stronghold of anthroposophists
The towns in the south of the department, such as Sundgau and the agglomeration of Saint-Louis, which are more prosperous than Mulhouse, have similar vaccination rates.
“It’s complicated, these territories. We identified them, we tried to go there. The Vaccimouv ‘went there. Certain places in Sundgau in particular. It seemed very complicated to us to reach this population. really struggling as a caregiver to find the reason for their refusal, and to find the solution “, notes Doctor Frédéric Tryniszewski, president of SOS Médecins Mulhouse, distraught.
He is aware that anthroposophy, a school of thought historically opposed to vaccines born in Switzerland, is well established in this border area. A 2017 report by the Interministerial Mission for Vigilance and the Fight against Sectarian Abuses (Miviludes) estimates thata quarter of the disciples of this movement are installed in Alsace and establishes clear links between vaccine rejection and anthroposophy.
“There is undoubtedly some influence in these populations of these movements of thought. These are people who categorically refuse vaccination”, he remarks. “There is a very influential homeopathy, anthroposophy and naturopathic field in Germany and Switzerland. These people have been more than convincing activists because they distributed thousands of leaflets urging not to be vaccinated”, confirms Doctor Vogt.
“We don’t know what to say to them anymore”
Caregivers also deplore the reluctance on the part of those who feel they are sufficiently robust to do without the vaccine. “I know a lot of people in the vineyard who think they are safe, because they would be strong enough to resist the Covid. I had some pretty intense discussions with friends in the rural world who thought they didn’t have to. get vaccinated because they will not need it. They are perfectly convinced of it “, deplores Patrick Vogt.
The Mulhouse doctor admits it, this permanent struggle to convince the unvaccinated camped on their positions is exhausting. “Some days, we give up because we see people who have an absolute rejection of the vaccine, while they have all the evidence in front of them. I recently saw a man who had a long Covid. The first thing he told me is “doctor, I will not vaccinate my children”. My legs were cut off. I didn’t know what to say to him. “
Compulsory vaccination? “I’m not far from thinking, unfortunately, that the only way to get there will be through an obligation. I think we are there,” he concludes.