More than 138,000 people were vaccinated against the coronavirus in France on Monday.

"We will continue on this line to reach perhaps even 400,000 at the end of the week, that is the objective", declared the Minister in charge of Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon, Tuesday. 

The government hopes to reach 400,000 people vaccinated against Covid-19 at the end of the week, especially in nursing homes where only 30,000 residents have received the vaccine, said the Minister Delegate in charge of Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon on Tuesday.

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350 centers at the end of the week

After strong criticism of the slow start of the vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health announced Monday evening that more than 138,000 people in France were vaccinated on January 11, among residents of nursing homes and health professionals.

"We will continue on this line to perhaps even reach 400,000 at the end of the week, that is the objective", declared Brigitte Bourguignon, questioned on Public Senate.

The government, which expects to have received 2.6 million doses by the end of the month, has changed its strategy by opening vaccination to all health professionals over 50 years of age or frail, as well as to home helpers and firefighters.

"This has had the effect of boosting the figures for a few days," said Brigitte Bourguignon.

According to her, the vaccination centers which are currently opening in the territory "will multiply: there are 200 for the moment, there will be 350 at the end of the week, and 600 at the end of the month".

"We must boost" the campaign

Among the 138,000 people vaccinated on January 11, residents of nursing homes and residences for seniors represented only 30,000, out of a target of around one million people.

"Theoretically, we had set ourselves to vaccinate the million residents of nursing homes (and assisted living and independent residences, editor's note) for the month of January. We must boost," continued the minister.

She set "the objective that at the end of January all nursing home residents who so wish can be vaccinated".

"Instead of criticizing (the vaccine campaign), we should rather spend our time trying to educate those who are still skeptical, especially health care workers," she said.

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According to Brigitte Bourguignon, only "20% of staff accept vaccination" in nursing homes, a figure "which is not sufficient".

"In other sectors, such as the hospital environment, it is more widely accepted," she said.

Thus, she did not rule out that a "national campaign to raise awareness about vaccination" could be launched soon.