Quebec public health launches new call for vaccination against COVID-19 and influenza as holiday season approaches

MONTREAL – Citing a “serious” circulation of COVID-19 and an imminent wave of influenza in Quebec, the national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, is urging those at risk to get vaccinated quickly, as the holiday season is approaching.

“We anticipate with get togethers and cold weather viruses will circulate more – the flu and COVID-19. If people do not protect themselves, get vaccinated, it could lead to surcharge of hospitals. This is an opportunity for you all to protect yourselves,” said Dr. Boileau at a press conference on Wednesday.

Specifically, people aged 60 and over, and especially those over 70, are invited to pick up a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Boileau says that people over 70 who have never been infected with the virus are particularly susceptible to complications.

According to Quebec’s Director of Public Health, there are still around a hundred cases of hospitalization daily and fifty weekly deaths linked to COVID-19.

Dr. Boileau adding that the data shows those numbers will increase.

“That’s why we’re here because there are vaccines that can help. It takes two weeks for vaccine efficacy – so the faster you get it faster you are protected,” he said.

As far as influenza is concerned, public health is appealing to pregnant women. While the flu is expected to sweep through Quebec in the run-up to the holiday season, it warns that women are more likely to become ill during pregnancy. Dr. Boileau points out that the vaccine given to the mother has a protective effect on the baby at birth and that the flu can be fetal to babies.

“Influenza is coming, it’s inevitable, it will arrive in Quebec. Better to be vaccinated than wait for the wave and have complications,” Dr. Boileau added.

Public health is also reminding people of safe hygiene methods to prevent the spread of viruses including hand washing and wearing a mask when you have symptoms.

To promote greater access to vaccination, Quebecers are invited to visit the Clic-Santé platform regularly to find a time slot that suits them. New availabilities are posted regularly.

Dr. Boileau said more than 1 million Quebecers have been vaccinated since the October campaign launched.

• -With files from The Canadian Press