France’s distrust of govt slows vaccine drive

It goes without saying that France has a mind of its own. They perhaps do not accept things at face value, but would like to go to the core issue. Even if that involves anti-virus vaccines.

This probing, sceptical nature has probably led to the fact that France has been slow to adopting the anti-virus vaccine programme when several other European countries have picked up steam on this aspect.

President Emmanuel Macron has been slammed over the slow start to the campaign, which lags behind other major European countries.

While governments across Europe kicked off their virus vaccination plans, France took a more low-key approach. France is home to more “anti-vaxxers’ than almost any other country in the world. More than half the population reportedly said they will not, or probably not, get inoculated against it.

France’s other major neighbours have started quicker: Britain has administered more than five million jabs and Italy 1.25 million.

The reason for harbouring doubts about the vaccine is that the French have been hit by health scandals in recent decades, including those involving mismanaged vaccines. They fear that the coronavirus vaccines were developed too quickly, are aimed at bringing profit to big pharmaceutical companies, or risk long-term side effects that the world will only discover years from now.

France has lost more lives to the virus than most countries, with over 72,000 deaths, and its economy — one of the world’s biggest — has been deeply crippled by two virus lockdowns. Doctors hope that French vaccine hesitancy will fade as more people get vaccinated.

The French government does not want to be seen thrusting the vaccination down the throats of the reluctant public. Instead, authorities are counting on doctors to convince patients that the vaccine is in their, and the country’s, best interests.

Macron reiterated that the vaccine would be free of charge — and not obligatory.

Czajka, a 32-year-old taxi-driver who lives in the Paris suburb of Herblay-sur-Seine, said he lost his faith in vaccines after a colleague’s sister died shortly after receiving a hepatitis jab. The vaccine was the cause he said, though Reuters was shown no evidence to prove this.

Despite the French being among the world’s biggest vaccine sceptics, Mulhouse mayor Michele Lutz says demand for the jab is high locally because of the devastating first coronavirus wave in March and April.

She says precious time was lost as local authorities like hers clamoured for instructions from the central government.

The government in Paris has repeatedly defended its strategy, which it acknowledges is slower.

Those currently eligible – principally the over-75s and other vulnerable categories of people – need a doctor’s prescription, have to sign legal disclaimers, and are given a period to reflect on their decision.

Retirement and care homes have also been made an early priority, and gaining consent from the family or legal guardians of the infirm can take time.

Time is important as the country faces a possible third wave linked to the spread of more contagious variants.

France began a nationwide campaign to inoculate people over 75 on Monday as officials sought to ease concerns about deliveries of coronavirus vaccines.

The new phase in its vaccination drive, under fire for its slow start, comes as nations across the world are doubling down on restrictions to fight the rampaging pandemic.

The contagion is showing no signs of slowing down, with infections surging past 94 million and more than two million deaths, and Europe among the hardest-hit parts of the world.

Faith in the government is key to any strategy: France is the nation of the Enlightenment and of (vaccine pioneer Louis) Pasteur. Reason and science should guide them.