FRANCE: Campaign for mass vaccination for H1N1 begins

Record ID: 345972

  • Title: FRANCE: Campaign for mass vaccination for H1N1 begins
  • Date: 13th November 2009
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 12, 2009) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VACCINATION CENTRE SET UP IN PARIS GYMNASIUM VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING TO BE VACCINATED HEALTH MINISTER ROSELYNE BACHELOT ARRIVES TO BE VACCINATED VARIOUS OF HEALTH MINISTER ROSELYNE BACHELOT BEING VACCINATED (SOUNDBITE) (French) HEALTH MINISTER ROSELYNE BACHELOT, SAYING: "A completely painle
  • Embargoed: 28th November 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVA40EPJLOF393MFOQ4ZJ3MBLZP4
  • Story Text: France kicked off its mass vaccination campaign against the H1N1 flu virus on Thursday (November 12) amid widespread suspicion about the vaccine, according to local media.
    Hundreds of vaccination centres were set up in gymnasiums and public buildings around the country.
    In a bid to boost confidence in the vaccine, Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot was vaccinated herself live on national television. Bachelot arrived in a flurry of media coverage to promote the government stance which encourages people to get vaccinated.
    Once registered, Bachelot was shown to her booth where a medical assistant administered a dose of the H1N1 vaccine.
    After an injection to her arm, Bachelot was keen to re-assure the public.
    "A completely painless vaccination done by extremely competent personnel, there is not even the slightest drop of blood," she told the approximately 50 journalists and camera crews who had turned out for the event.
    Following the minister's vaccination, a handful of locals slowly made their way into the gymnasium.
    Critics say the low turnout reflects general opinion among many medical professionals that the vaccination has been rushed and insufficient testing undertaken to insure that there are no side effects associated with it.
    But Jean-Marie Le Quin, one of the first of the members of the public through the door, was quite keen.
    "We are not going to be drawn into a catastrophe scenario and general panic. If this vaccination is available it must serve a purpose," he said.
    Before leaving the vaccination centre, Bachelot added:
    "The problem is that we are contagious well before showing flu symptoms. So really getting vaccinated is a precaution to protect oneself and others," said the minister.
    Top of the priority list will be very young children and people of all ages who are at particular risk from the disease.
    That will be followed in a few weeks with the bulk of the population.
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