Pharmacists able to offer flu jab

Pharmacists will soon be able to give the flu jab in a move to encourage more people to get the injection.
MPs have agreed to give temporary authorisation for pharmacists to give adult flu vaccines, removing the need to go to a doctor or nurse.
The experiment will last three years, and only specially trained pharmacists will be able take part in the trial on a voluntary basis.
“This is good news for vaccination in general,” said Eric Housieaux, president of the conseil de l’ordre des pharmaciens de Picardie. “Our profession was calling for this because levels of vaccination in France are low.”
GPs , however, have voiced concern over the plans. The Confédération des Syndicats Médicaux Français said that allowing qualified nurses to give vaccines has not improved take-up, and said that doctors should be allowed to stock vaccines.
Less than half of those with health insurance were vaccinated against flu during the winter of 2015-2016, reported Francetvinfo.
As many as 3,000 deaths a year among those over 65 could be avoided if 75% of the population was vaccinated against flu, said socialist MP Michèle Delaunay