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France to Release Flu Vaccine Reserves as Pharmacy Stocks Tighten

Pharmacists warn remaining doses could be exhausted within a week.

Overview

  • Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the state will progressively put additional secured doses into circulation to ease pressure over the holidays.
  • The pharmacists’ union USPO estimates about 1.5 million doses remain in pharmacy fridges, enough for roughly four to seven days at the current pace.
  • Pharmacies have dispensed nearly 9.4 million flu vaccine doses since mid-October, exceeding the same period last year, official data show.
  • Santé publique France has placed Île-de-France, Normandie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine in a pre-epidemic phase, and some pharmacies report empty shelves.
  • USPO welcomed the decision with caution, insisting distribution must be smooth and rapid for pharmacies to receive doses in time.