Influenza and COVID 19: general vaccination starting today in Quebec

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will be administered at the same time to all Quebecers who want them, starting today.

The first wave of vaccinations began Oct. 2 in CHSLDs and private seniors’ residences (RPAs).

Citizens can make an appointment to receive the vaccines on the Clic Santé website.

At a recent press conference, Quebec’s Public Health Director, Dr. Luc Boileau, reminded people that those most at risk, or those who live with them, may develop more complications from influenza and COVID-19, be hospitalized and, for some, it could be fatal. Vulnerable groups include the over 60, pregnant women, immunosuppressed people and people with chronic illnesses.

The Quebec government will offer some 150 points of service for vaccination, but has no plans to recreate massive sites as was done at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Association des bannières et des chaînes de pharmacies du Québec (ABCPQ) says COVID-19 and flu shots will be offered free of charge in 1,473 Quebec pharmacies as of Tuesday.

The launch of this campaign coincides with the arrival of new vaccines developed to counter the multiple variants of COVID-19, including the fast-growing XBB.1.5 sub-variant. The latest Moderna vaccine is among these, and Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty, which has been given the green light by Health Canada, is also due to be made available.

Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, pediatrician, microbiologist-infectiologist and President of Quebec’s Immunization Committee, says the vaccine does not prevent the onset of the disease, but it does provide benefits, like six months’ protection against complications, hospitalization and death.

The vaccination campaign will be entirely financed from the $270 million envelope set aside in the Quebec government’s last budget specifically for vaccination campaigns.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 9, 2023, and translated by CityNews.