A French circus ringmaster called on Monday for clowns, lion-tamers and other staff to be publicly vaccinated against swine flu under the big tops where they perform.
"These vaccinations could be covered in the media and would serve as an example in a playful setting, to raise awareness of the vaccine among the public," the head of the Cirque Pinder, Gilbert Edelstein, told AFP.
France has started offering vaccines to groups considered to be at risk.
Authorities in the town of Chartres, southwest of Paris, reported on Monday that a six-year-old girl had died after contracting the A(H1N1) flu virus, bringing the death toll in mainland France to 58.
Edelstein, head of a national circus union, said many of his 150 performers and technicians, who play in front of thousands of visitors, were foreigners living in caravans and had "little chance of receiving a vaccination voucher."
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AFP 301320 GMT 11 09
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