“Ariège is the least vaccinated department in Occitania”, testifies Catherine Guintoli-Centuri, departmental president of the Order of Physicians. “However, the mobilization of caregivers was remarkable. The centers quickly set up, ”she says with satisfaction. According to Covid Tracker, 74.4% of Ariégois have received at least one dose of vaccine. “It’s positive, the doctors have succeeded in convincing the majority of the population”, defends the president. At the height of the crisis, twelve vaccination centers were operating in Ariège. The improvement in the sanitary situation has forced several of them to close. “At the moment, we only vaccinate regarding ten patients a week. It’s not enough to stay open, ”explains Catherine Guintoli-Centuri. Only the center of Estive in Foix still vaccinates but “it should close this Monday” according to the president.
Deep-rooted reservations
The Ariège centers have vaccinated a lot, but especially Toulouse residents according to data from Health Insurance. Among the Ariège residents, the vaccine aroused more reluctance than elsewhere. “This is not new, not to mention the vaccine once morest Covid-19, the rather rural population was already very suspicious, even regarding compulsory vaccines, testifies the doctor. For those engaged in a process of opposing the vaccine, it is almost impossible to change their minds. “The lifting of the vaccine pass on Monday will not help this situation according to Catherine Guintoli-Centuri. “We did our best, we took the time to explain,” she adds. The president of the Ariège Order of Physicians hopes that a new wave or a new variant will not resurface anytime soon. In which case, she assures him: the structures will be ready to relaunch the vaccination.
