Some of the special mass-vaccination hubs that have been set up in France have been unable to open due to a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines.

France's Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that 1.7 million new vaccine appointments will be open for the public to book over the next few days, as the government tries to accelerate its vaccination program.

But some are still unable to book slots to get vaccinated due to logistical delays in the supply chain.

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One center that has been affected is in the town of Le Raincy, in the eastern Paris suburbs. Josiane Sonnera, 79, was due to get the shot at the new vaccine hub but was left disappointed. 

"I made an appointment a long time ago, calling City Hall, but I know the mayor has done his best to get the vaccines," she told CGTN Europe.

She has no certainty about when she can get the shot.

"I really need to get vaccinated, so I'm anxious, having to wait without knowing when I can get the jab," she said. 

Frustration

The vaccination center in Le Raincy is located in a sports hall. Its injection booths, consultation tents and waiting areas are ready to go. There is no medical activity and there are no vaccinations taking place.

The town's COVID-19 vaccine doses have been diverted elsewhere, to the anger of the mayor.

"In this town everything has been done, everything," Mayor Jean-Michel Genestier told CGTN Europe.

"With all the logistics, all the healthcare workers, the elected officials – they're ready to create something exceptional and we are obviously frustrated. We are annoyed because when we promised something to the people, we have to take responsibility."

There are 15,000 people in Le Raincy,2,500 of whom are over the age of 75 and eligible now for a vaccine.

Despite the problems, the prime minister is staying optimistic, stating that the first injections of the AstraZeneca vaccine will take place from February 6, while all care home residents in France will have received their first vaccinations by this weekend.

The government hopes that in total 4 million people will get their first jabs by the end of this month.