Quebec starts COVID 19 vaccination bookings for seniors

MONTREAL – Quebecers 85 years and older were able to register for COVID-19 vaccinations starting Thursday.

“We’re very happy with what we’ve seen with the vaccinations,” Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said.

He added that there were some minor technical issues, but about 72,000 people had signed up for appointments by noon.

Some doses were already being administered in Laval, just north of Montreal. Inoculations for the greater Montreal area are to begin Monday.

“Thank God my son is good with technology and he tried himself and finally said if you are interested there’s Palais des Congres tomorrow. I was surprised but very happy to accept,” said Andre Drouin.

If you’re 85 and over, you can go here or call 1-877-644-4545 to register.

CityNews managed to speak to a few people who were ready to get their shot.

“It was my son who works in Quebec City but wants his grandparents to have their vaccination and he had no trouble at all this morning. He was on Clic Santé, and boom we got the appointment right away,” said one Quebecer.

“It took a little time because I had [a] problem with the computer. Other than that everything went fine,” said another.

“I don’t have internet. [My daughter] called this morning and have an appointment at 12:45,” one person told CityNews.

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, military commander in charge of the federal vaccine distribution program, said he understands that provinces may not have a lot of confidence in dose deliveries after a disappointing performance this month.

But supply is already ramping back up, he said. The largest number of doses yet was delivered this week–643,000 across the country.

“Provinces are now in a position to fully deploy their immunization plans,” Fortin said.

Even with setbacks in recent weeks, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer, Dr. Howard Njoo, said more than 40 per cent of seniors over 80 have received one dose of the vaccine. About 5.5 per cent have received a second dose.

Njoo cautioned it is not time for people to let their guard down.

“For now, however, COVID-19 remains a serious threat.”

Concern over spread of the novel coronavirus in Quebec has prompted officials there to require primary school students in red pandemic-alert zones, including the greater Montreal area, to wear masks starting March 8.

It won’t apply to certain students with special needs or when children are playing outside.

The more contagious B.1.1.7 variant–first detected in the United Kingdom–has become a significant concern in Montreal, where there is still widespread community transmission. The variant is making up eight to 10 per cent of new cases.

Dr. Mylene Drouin, Montreal’s public health director, said 40 per cent of cases linked to variants in the city have involved children.

Hospitalizations, however, are declining provincewide. Health authorities are reporting 858 new infections and 16 more deaths.

—With files from The Canadian Press.