Information concerning the vaccination campaign against the H1N1 flu in France
My fellow citizens,
The purpose of this message is to provide you with the most up-to-date information available concerning the vaccination campaign against the H1N1 flu virus in France.
On 11 June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert level from phase 5 to phase 6. This indicates that, according to the WHO’s definition of the term, the current situation meets the criteria of a pandemic. The WHO keeps a listing of all countries affected by the H1N1 flu virus at the following link: www.who.int.
Canada and France have both pursued national vaccination campaigns since October. In both cases, national health authorities have been placed in charge of the campaigns. To date, private doctors are not authorized to administer the vaccine.
Those of you who participate in the French social security system and who wish to receive the vaccine will be summoned by your primary health insurance provider (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie). For all supplementary information related to the vaccination campaign in France, you may consult the website of the Ministry of Health and Sport (Ministère de la Santé et des Sports).
The French government has recently informed us of the procedure by which all foreign nationals who are not affiliated with the French social security system will be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus. These individuals are invited to present themselves at the office of the primary health care insurance provider nearest to their place of residence. There they will receive a vaccination slip which will allow them to be immunized at the vaccination centre nearest their place of residence (locations are specified on the website of each department’s prefecture). Note that you must have resided in France for at least three consecutive months in order to be eligible.
I hope that this information will be helpful to you and your families. As the situation evolves, further updates will be communicated to you. I encourage you to regularly consult the website of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at www.voyage.gc.ca/.
Sincerely,
Marc Lortie,
Ambassador
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My fellow citizens,
As the vaccination campaign against the H1N1 flu virus gets under way in France, I am addressing you this message in order to provide you with the most up-to-date information available about the subject.
On 11 June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert level from phase 5 to phase 6. This indicates that, according to the WHO’s definition of the term, the current situation meets the criteria of a pandemic. The WHO keeps a listing of all countries affected by the H1N1 flu virus at the following link: www.who.int.
Canada and France both launched national vaccination campaigns this October. In both cases, national health authorities have been placed in charge of the campaigns. To date, private doctors are not authorized to administer the vaccine.
Those of you who participate in the French social security system and who wish to receive the vaccine will be summoned by your primary health insurance provider (Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie). For all supplementary information related to the vaccination campaign in France, you may consult the website of the Ministry of Health and Sport (Ministère de la Santé et des Sports).
The Ministry of Health and Sport has confirmed that France is committed to vaccinating all residents in its territory free of charge. French authorities are currently working to develop a protocol to ensure the vaccination of people residing in France who are not covered by the French social security system. The goal of this protocol is to ensure that everyone currently within French territory can be vaccinated. More specific information will be transmitted to the various diplomatic posts in the next few days. We will keep you up to date on all developments through our website.
I hope that this information will be helpful to you and your families. As the situation evolves, further updates will be communicated to you. I encourage you to regularly consult the website of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at www.voyage.gc.ca.
