France - swine flu

Flu vaccine on offer to all French

Article published on the 2009-07-17 Latest update 2009-07-17 11:45 TU

An image of the A H1N1 flu virus.
(Photo: Reuters)

France has ordered 94 million swine flu vaccine doses in preparation for a difficultn autumn. The virus is expected to rebound and set-off a new round of infections. The World Health Organisation (WHO) now warns that the flu is now “unstoppable”.

Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot announced the one-billion-euro order on Wednesday, saying that the vaccines would be available to anyone who wished to receive one in France.

The vaccine order is split between three manufacturers, Sanofi-Pasteur, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis and will be delivered between October and January.

Bachelot also announced that France would place an optional order for 44 million supplemental vaccines in case they were needed.

Speaking at the same press conference, Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said that a new flu pandemic in the autumn is “almost inevitable,” and that “the consequences could be significant.”

France has confirmed 481 cases of the A H1N1 flu since April, but as yet none have proved fatal.

Health workers and emergency responders will be given priority for the vaccines, along with old people, pregnant women and those with chronic ailments.

The cost of the treatment will be shared between public and private health insurance, but should be free or nearly so to most French residents.

Protective masks and Tamiflu-type pills will also be made available at pharmacies for free with a prescription, Bachelot said.