The French President had previously banned health officials from giving AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine to people aged over 65. Mr Macron claimed the data from the pharmaceutical company’s trials were limited for older age groups and stated the drug was “quasi ineffective”. But the French government has since rowed back on his claims, as people aged over 65 with existing health problems will now be given the jab.
In response, Express.co.uk asked its readers: “Should Macron apologise to the UK after AstraZeneca vaccine claims debunked?”
The poll was carried out from 2.30pm on March 2 to 10am on March 3.
The overwhelming majority of the 3,162 respondents voted “yes”, with 97 percent (3,061 votes).
Just three percent said “no” (92 votes), while less than one percent (nine votes) opting for “don’t know”.
Readers took to the comments to explain why they thought the French President should offer an official apology, with several pointing out the French public and pharmaceutical firm should also receive an apology.
One person said: “Not only should he apologise to the UK, but he should also be apologising to AZ and begging them not to take him to the cleaners for slandering their name.
“Personally, I would wipe the floor with him as well as all the others that jumped on to his bandwagon, if I was AZ.”
Another user wrote: “He should apologise to the French for putting his vanity before the health of his nation.”
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“How many EU countries have been doubtful of using Astra because of his totally found-less claims?
“Macron thinks himself clever but sadly for the French he is a political lightweight who seems to get great delight out of knocking the UK and the English in particular.”
A second user wrote: “I’d be happier if he just resigned rather than apologised.”
A third said: “Of course he shouldn’t he should be forced to resign, his petty stupidity will have cost dozens, if not hundreds of lives.”
On Monday Public Health England (PHE) released data showing that on the over 80s, a single dose of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine is more than 80 percent effective at preventing hospitalisation around three to four weeks after the jab.
The data also showed the vaccine provided 60-73 percent protection four weeks after the first jab.
Following the release of the data on Monday, the UK’s deputy chief medical officer professor Jonathan Van-Tam, claimed it had “vindicated” the UK’s vaccine plan.
Professor Van-Tam also claimed the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation had taken the view it was not plausible for the vaccine to work for younger age groups and not older ones.