New mass vaccination site set to open at Palais de congres

MONTREAL – As Premier Francois Legault plans to extend Quebec’s curfew and possibly loosen some other restrictions, public health is gearing up for a mass vaccination campaign at Palais des congres in Montreal.

Health Minister Christian Dube toured the facilities Monday just as daily cases fell under 1,000 for the first time since November.

Dube said he’s excited to get his vaccine as he was briefed on how the massive vaccination clinic works. It’s equipped with freezers set at -39 degrees to hold vials of the vaccine and there are 15 vaccination stations.

The Palais will be one of five vaccination sites across Montreal that will be open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, and will be operating by appointment only. Registration will take place online.

#WATCH Public health says they are ready to receive healthcare workers and the public for vaccinations at Palais des congrès. They held a simulation on Friday and gave media a tour Monday of how it would all work. This clinic will be by appointment only. @CityNewsMTL pic.twitter.com/EzKBXTUWMJ

— Alyssia (@rubertuccinews) February 1, 2021

“We can vaccinate about 1,000 people per day on-site and whenever we need to do more we can double and go up to 2,000 if needed,” explained Louis Xavier Daoust, a medical coordinator at the CIUSS-Centre vaccination campaign.

There isn’t an opening date for the public just yet, but health authorities say they’re ready.

“So far, we have the staff. It’s running. All we need is the vaccine to keep going.”

Quebec has administered 239,023 doses of the vaccine so far.

All senior residents in public long-term care homes CHSLDs have been given their first shot already and vaccinations for healthcare workers is ongoing.

“We’re opening this week to healthcare workers. As soon as we have a new vaccine delivery we’re going to start vaccinating,” said Daoust.

The next phase will be private senior’s residences.

“I think the prioritization of risk groups is correct. The only issue is to have enough and vaccinate all people who need it,” said Dr. Levon Abrahamyan.

FULL INTERVIEW: Dr. Abrahamyan talks about vaccine rollout, possible curfew extension

Quebec has seen a delay in its vaccine rollout because of reduced shipments from manufacturers, but the province is still moving ahead on loosening restrictions by Feb. 8, possibly reopening stores with doors that lead right onto the street.

Legault is expected to extend the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and to keep Montreal in a red zone. More information will likely come out of an announcement scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.

“Unless we reach that desirable 60-70 per cent of vaccination levels… we still vulnerable to the pandemic,” said Abrahamyan.