France calls for increased security after vandalism at vaccination centers

France is calling for increased security for coronavirus vaccination centers due to vandalism that has occurred in protest of the country’s health passes.

A letter, seen by AFP, was sent to the leadership of local authorities by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin asking for more police presence at vaccination centers, France 24 reported.

Darmanin previously said there have been 15 attacks on vaccination centers since July 12, with 22 health facilities overall targeted with vandalism.

The vandalism has included Nazi symbols and threats to bomb the buildings.

The attacks started in protest of a health pass the French government now requires to go out to eat, travel or participate in other activities.

The health passes are given to those who are fully vaccinated, have natural immunity from the virus or have a recent negative coronavirus test.

There have been almost 60 recorded threats against health care and vaccination facilities within the past month, according to AFP. 

Thousands of French people have been protesting the past few weekends against the health passes amid a rise in delta variant cases.

“The health crisis is not behind us, very clearly. … We will live for several more months with this virus,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday.