All health workers in France told to get shots

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ordered all French health care workers to get virus vaccine shots by Sept. 15 and urged all of his compatriots to get vaccinated as soon as possible, to fight resurgent infections that are threatening the country’s economic recovery.

Those who don’t get vaccinated by Sept. 15 will face potential sanctions or fines, he said.

In a televised address, Macron also mandated COVID-19 passes for anyone who wants to go to a restaurant, shopping mall or get on a train or plane. To get a pass, people must have proof they’re fully vaccinated, or recently recovered from the virus, or have taken a fresh negative virus test.

The delta variant is driving France’s virus infections up again, just as the country kicked off summer vacation season after a long-awaited reopening. Some 40% of France’s population is fully inoculated.

“Get vaccinated!” was Macron’s overall message. He even tweeted a GIF of himself repeating the phrase.

In France, vaccines are widely available for anyone 12 and over.