Background Our study analyses the main determinants of refusal or acceptance of the 2009 A/H1N1 vaccine in patients with cystic fibrosis, a high-risk population for severe flu infection, usually very compliant for seasonal flu vaccine. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews in 3 cystic fibrosis referral centres in Paris, France. The study included 42 patients with cystic fibrosis: 24 who refused the vaccine and 18 who were vaccinated. The two groups differed quite substantially in their perceptions of vaccine- and disease-related risks. Those who refused the vaccine were motivated mainly by the fears it aroused and did not explicitly consider the 2009 A/H1N1 flu a potentially severe disease. People who were vaccinated explained their choice, first and foremost, as intended to prevent the flu's potential consequences on respiratory cystic fibrosis disease. Moreover, they considered vaccination to be an indirect collective prevention tool. Patients who refused the vaccine mentioned multiple, contradictory information sources and did not appear to consider the recommendation of their local health care provider as predominant. On the contrary, those who were vaccinated stated that they had based their decision solely on the clear and unequivocal advice of their health care provider. Conclusions/Significance These results of our survey led us to formulate three main recommendations for improving adhesion to new pandemic vaccines. (1) it appears necessary to reinforce patient education about the disease and its specific risks, but also general population information about community immunity. (2) it is essential to disseminate a clear and effective message about the safety of novel vaccines. (3) this message should be conveyed by local health care providers, who should be involved in implementing immunization.

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If epidemiological studies can define priorities for action, anthropological analyses are needed to clarify the conditions for the possibility of health problems. This article illustrates some of the ways in which public health and anthropological research may complement one another. Every year, 250,000 of the world's 200 million pregnant women die in Sub‐Saharan Africa. The medical causes of death are known and what should be done to avoid these unnecessary deaths is also known: quality caesareans, use of magnesium sulphate, hygiene during childbirth, tests and transfusion. So, concretely, the question is why sundry reforms fail or struggle for effective application. Drawing from a complex system of observation set up in four different services for 4‐month periods, this article aims to specify the qualitative variables that are behind the deaths of parturients.

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