MONTREAL -- Montreal's increasingly empty vaccine clinics suggest it's true, and the numbers bear it out: the vast majority of people over the age of 60 on the island have been able to at least book an appointment.

As of Sunday, 77 per cent of people in Montreal over the age of 60 have either received a dose of a vaccine or have an appointment to do so.

But for those who haven't, appointments are available for Monday at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre and at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday.

“With vaccine coverage above 80 per cent, it's normal for things to slow down a bit,” said Marie-Josee Thibert, a spokesperson for the Centre-Sud Montreal regional health authority.

According to the most recent data from Quebec's Health Ministry, 69 per cent of eligible Montrealers have received at least their first dose. Another 8 per cent have appointments.

Vaccination rates are at 59 per cent among Montrealers between 60 and 64, 70 per cent between 65 and 69 and over 81 per cent for those aged 70 and over.

On Sunday, the mass vaccination site located at the Palais des Congres was quiet. The Clic Sante website indicated appointments were available for that day.

One reason for the quiet vaccination sites is that the province has been routing doses to the province's other regions as part of a bid to help them catch up to Montreal.

Health Minister Christian Dube took to Twitter to reiterate the point, saying that 34,000 doses had been redirected to the regions to ensure all Quebecers over the age of 65 are able to get vaccinated by mid-April. 

According to the recommendations issued by the Quebec Immunization Committee, the next priority group that will be offered vaccines is adults under the age of 60 who have a chronic disease or health problem that increases the risk of complications from COVID-19.

Who exactly will get the first chance within that group isn't yet clear -- the province said the week before last that they would announce the more detailed guideline "shortly."

Currently, Montrealers over the age of 60 are able to book an appointment, as can health-care workers and some people with disabilities.