“Flu epidemic kills 8500 in France since last Oct.”

Between October last year and February, 8500 French died due to influenza.

The high number of deaths has shocked the country and raised the big question: Why?

Meanwhile, at this national conference on vaccines, a new figure has surprised the audience: the number of French getting vaccinations has sharply dropped in the past few years.

In France, as in neighboring countries, a small but rising number of parents believe vaccines have unwanted side effects and have no real benefits for infants.

Experts also say that there is a strong need to raise awareness about personal hygiene during flu epidemics in France.

The health sector reforms will allow pharmacists to provide vaccination services and has been proposed by the Health Ministry. But the idea has been criticized by doctors.

It could take some months for the reforms to come into effect. Doctors or the health ministry, whosoever wins, will have to ensure that flu doesn’t kill thousands the next year.