A mass vaccination campaign against influenza A/H1N1 was launched in France in October 2009. Vaccination was offered free of charge to the entire population according to a pre-defined order of priority. Demographic data and data on vaccinations given were recorded in a dedicated data base. We analysed vaccine uptake by age, sex and region in the overall population and in certain risk groups, including pregnant women. Overall vaccine uptake was 8% and varied by age-group and sex. Vaccine uptake in pregnant women was 22.7%.These low uptakes may reflect controversies around the vaccine and vaccination policy and have important implications for future pandemic vaccination strategies. (R.A.)