France Moves to Quell 'Vaccine Skepticism'... Macron Says "Not Mandatory Vaccination"

Macron "Vaccines Are Free... Not Mandatory" Persuasion
First Vaccination Broadcast Live on TV, Minister's Attendance Also Omitted
Public Health Doctors Concerned "Vaccine Skepticism Must Disappear"

French President Emmanuel Macron [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] As European Union (EU) member states begin full-scale COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, the French government has taken on the top priority task of quelling 'vaccine skepticism.'

According to the Associated Press on the 27th (local time), France started COVID-19 vaccinations on this day, beginning with a 78-year-old resident in a long-term care facility. Unlike the United States or other EU member countries, the French government did not broadcast the first vaccination live on TV, nor did any related ministers appear at the event.

Immediately after the vaccination began, French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Let us trust experts and doctors. Reason and science must guide us," while reiterating, "The vaccine is free and (vaccination) will not be mandatory." This was interpreted as an effort to soothe the French public, who have significant concerns about the vaccine.

Vaccine skepticism is widespread in France. According to French public radio RFI, a recent survey conducted by the French Public Health Agency (SPF) of 2,000 French citizens showed that only about 40% planned to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a 13% decrease compared to the previous month.

Among the 1,194 people who did not want to be vaccinated, 82% expressed the belief that "the vaccine is not safe." The AP reported that some French citizens refuse vaccination because they believe "the COVID-19 vaccine was developed too quickly" and "the purpose of vaccination is to benefit large pharmaceutical companies." It also analyzed that some moderate citizens appear to have responded to vaccine skepticism raised by far-right and far-left figures.

French public health officials stated, "Vaccine skepticism must disappear," and expressed hope that "as vaccination rates increase, such anxieties will fade."

Meanwhile, 26 EU member countries, excluding the Netherlands, announced plans to begin vaccinations between the 27th and 29th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.