France kicks off widespread swine flu vaccination campaign

Widespread vaccination against the A(H1N1) flu virus kicks off Thursday across France, with roughly 6 million high-risk individuals expected to receive the vaccine as priority patients.

Only those who have a special vaccination certificate issued by the French social security system will have access to the vaccine, which is being offered in 1,060 centres throughout the country.

The extensive communication campaign -- featuring Internet and TV clips, radio ads, and billboards – has nevertheless not won over the French: a recent poll revealed that 76 percent of France’s population does not want to be vaccinated.

As of now, the virus has caused 34 deaths in France and 6,000 in the world. One out of three Europeans could become infected with the virus over the next several months, according to European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.