FRANCE: French government kicks off its swine flu vaccination campaign amid blaze of publicity

Record ID: 342877

  • Title: FRANCE: French government kicks off its swine flu vaccination campaign amid blaze of publicity
  • Date: 21st October 2009
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 20, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF NECKER HOSPITAL SIGN FOR EMERGENCIES ENTRANCE TO HOSPITAL POSTER READING 'LAUNCH OF VACCINATION CAMPAIGN' HEALTH MINISTER ROSELYNE BACHELOT-NARQUIN ARRIVING AT HOSPITAL BACHELOT-NARQUIN TALKING WITH DOCTOR CARLI, HEAD OF PARIS EMERGENCIES SERVICES DOCTOR CARLI GETTING READY FOR VACCINE INJECTION VACCINE BEING I
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVABBLDRUXUWF6X8XJ6YP9I56M9P
  • Story Text: Health workers were at the top of the list for vaccinations against the H1N1 flu at the start of a massive vaccination campaign in France on Tuesday (October 20).
    Staff who work in neonatal and paediatric units were at the top of the list, followed by those likely to be exposed to people with influenza.
    At one Paris hospital, Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin oversaw the start of the campaign.
    The vaccination is not compulsory and some French citizens are scared the vaccine could have side effects:
    "Yes it does scare me and I don't know about the vaccine, I do have fears and I'm not sure whether I'll get it done to me, I'm an ambulance worker and I'm not convinced," said ambulance worker Sylvie.
    "It's a bit scary, we don't really know what the consequences might be," said Martine, mother of little Theo.
    Next in line will be pregnant women and people who work with small children followed by those deemed to be at risk.
    They will be vaccinated at more than 1,000 sites set up around the country.
    "The vaccination campaign has to be a success. Vaccination, I repeat, is not compulsory, but by protecting oneself one is protecting others. I repeat, the acts of some ensure everyone else's good health," Bachelot-Narquin told a news conference.
    France hosts one of the largest vaccine production facilities in the world, which is currently making several million doses a week.
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