France, Sept. 26 -- As French pharmacists call for a boycott of Covid-19 vaccine orders, professional bodies and unions have issued stern warnings over the threat to public health.

France's national pharmacists' council has strongly criticised calls from some within the profession to boycott orders of Covid-19 vaccines, warning that such a move would harm patients and undermine public health.

The row comes as preparations get under way for this autumn's dual vaccination campaign against flu and Covid-19, due to kick off on 14 October.

Pharmacists were able to start placing their first vaccine orders via Sante publique France's portal on Monday.

But on pharmacists' online forums and social media groups, messages have been circulating u...