And have commanded much too many vaccines

It was an appointment crucial yesterday evening to Roselyne Bachelot. The Minister of health explained the Organization of the campaign of vaccination against the H1N1 flu virus before the commission for Social Affairs of the Assembly. Has already expressed on several occasions before the commission, but it was the first time that a hearing was open to all members. While influenza epidemic flows and deserted vaccination centres reduce their opening hours, the fact Controversy rages. The left-wing opposition is in first line, but also the new Centre, which requested the establishment of a parliamentary investigative commission. They criticize the Government to have surréagi about a disease certainly highly contagious but ultimately far less lethal than expected. Have, therefore, oversized vaccination campaign, mobilizing thousands of government officials and health workers to run more than 1,000 vaccination centres. And have commanded much too many vaccines.

To defend himself on this point, Roselyne Bachelot brandi international comparisons. The France saw wide buy 94 million doses, of course, but less than the United Kingdom or the Canada if this command to the population is reported (see chart). And it was thought at the time, would have two injections per person.

The France "not too did."

The President of the Republic has also defended once again the strategy of the Government yesterday, in his wishes to health workers in Perpignan. He found that the France had "not too done", referring to the precedents of the heat wave of 2003 and blood in the 1980s, where the public authorities were charged, on the contrary, having not enough response. "I saw, as some politicians, commentators have criticized the Government management of influenza." That you have told me if we had missed vaccines has questioned the head of State. That is told of Roselyne Bachelot if this or that person had died if it could be vaccinated in time "And adding:" there are too many vaccines "Well it cancels the command ... and it will resell those there too, but there is not a single French who can say to a Minister of health,"I wanted to be vaccinated, I could not be vaccinated"."

Lack of transparency

It is on the subject of the termination of contracts, announced last week that the Minister was the most expected last night. Should the France pay penalties to the laboratories to compensate "There can be no compensation, acknowledged Roselyne Bachelot. We are negotiating with vaccine manufacturers the best way to support the lowest expense to our fellow citizens. "The PS MP Gérard Bapt denounced a lack of transparency on these contracts.

Another issue discussed, vaccination centres. Why keep then that liberal doctors them can now vaccinated in their offices "We are a mixed phase of vaccination and of liberal medical centres, and soon, early March, physicians liberal will be alone in order to vaccinate citizens until September," the Minister said yesterday. The number of activity centres will be reduced "from the beginning of the month of February". "". "Today, nothing would give up to get shot", repeated Roselyne Bachelot.

The French Government is not the only one to respond to criticism. The World Health Organization yesterday announced its intention to order an assessment of its work, to independent experts when the epidemic will be passed.

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