Introduction - In late December 2009, we studied individual acceptance of the pandemic vaccine against the new influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus, as well as the factors influencing this acceptance, among the adult population of metropolitan France. Methods - A representative sample of the metropolitan population aged 18 to 64 was surveyed online in mid-November 2009 (n = 2,253) and resurveyed after the pandemic peak. Acceptance of the pandemic vaccine was defined by vaccination status and intention to get vaccinated. A multinomial logistic regression was performed using stepwise downward selection. Results - 1,607 (71.3%) adults participated in the second wave of the survey. By late December 2009, 10.1% (95% CI [8.7–11.7]) had already been vaccinated, and 11.1% intended to do so. The probability of being vaccinated is associated with the absence of symptomatic influenza, older age, prior seasonal influenza vaccination, and membership in a priority group. A minority (37.1%) considered the pandemic influenza to be serious, and a majority (66.5%) were concerned about vaccine safety. Level of education and the opinion of healthcare professionals were decisive factors in acceptance of vaccination (p < 0.001). Conclusions - Pandemic vaccination was refused by 78.8% of adults and perceived as an individual protective measure whose risks generally outweigh the benefits. (R.A.)