Swine flu vaccine centres close down

From this weekend, the jab will only be available from your GP as 1,000 vaccination centres close down ahead of schedule

ANYONE wanting to get vaccinated against swine flu will only be able to do so at their GP's surgery from this weekend.

The French government is closing the 1,000 vaccination centres it specially set up last November, after deciding that doctors are now best equipped to continue the campaign.

Some 5.68 million people have made it to the centres in public buildings around the country, which will all close on Saturday.

Less that 10% of the public have been vaccinated.

Earlier this month, the Health Ministry bowed to pressure from GPs who had campaigned for the right to vaccinate their own patients.

Doctors' unions argued that offering the jab in surgeries would make people feel more comfortable and help get as many people vaccinated as possible - especially those considered in high-risk groups.

Since the swine flu virus emerged last summer, 275 people have died from it in France - 42 of whom did not have any other known underlying health problems.

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