10 of the funniest things people said about the French health minister’s semi-topless vaccine pose

It was intended to inspire confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine, the first doses of which arrived in France on Saturday and are now being used in the mass vaccination of healthcare workers.

On Monday, the health minister visited a hospital in Melun, near Paris, and was photographed getting his first dose of the vaccine.

“I continue to recommend vaccination by the AstraZeneca vaccine, which protects against 99 percent of the viruses that are present in our country,” Véran said.

“I encourage all careworkers to get themselves vaccinated in their hospitals, health centres and all available places in order to protect themselves as fast as possible.”

But whatever its effect on vaccine confidence, his photoshoot inspired social media to get involved with jokes and memes.

Some focused on the 40-year-old minister's trim torso, usually hidden behind a crisp white shirt and dark suit.

While others were fascinated by his rather coy pose . . .

. . . with others speculating what he may have been hiding

In a more highbrow tone, others placed Véran's photo within the canon of classic French art, such as this comparison to Eugène Delacroix's famous painting La Liberté guidant le peuple (Liberty leading the people) – and falling out of her blouse while she does so.

And others reached for more topical political references

And it wasn't just social media that got involved, the French TV show Quotidien did a short segment on the scene, complete with some striptease music.

But at least it seems that Véran is in good company, as male politicians across Europe, including the Greek prime minister and Croatian finance minister have also been making waves with their vaccine photoshoots.