France meets its target for 10 million first shots of COVID-19 vaccine

PARIS- More than 10 million people in France have now received a first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, with the government's target for that number reached a week ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday.

France is hoping a ramp-up of its vaccination campaign along with a month-long nationwide lockdown in place since last weekend will help it regain control over the latest outbreak.

Castex spoke to reporters about the 10-million mark after a visit to a vaccination center.

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Matthieu Protard Editing by Frances Kerry) ((matthieu.protard@thomsonreuters.com; +33-1-49495381;))