Flu shots, COVID-19 boosters crucial ahead of 'difficult' fall: Health Minister
During the federal Health Minister's visit to Quebec to sign a flu vaccine deal, a similar topic -- COVID-19 vaccines -- inevitably came up.
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' message to Canadians was clear: booster shots are crucial.
"We have more work to do," Duclos said Friday at the Quebec City GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) pharmaceutical plant.
He noted that while Canada has the highest rate of people with two doses of the vaccine among G7 countries, it ranks lowest in terms of booster shots.
In Quebec, about 55 percent of the population have received a third dose, while just 16 per cent have received a fourth, according to the provincial Health Ministry.
By comparison, 91 per of eligible Quebecers have received at least one shot.
The province has officially entered its seventh wave of infections, with case numbers and hospitalizations on the rise. According to public health officials, the Omicron BA.5 subvariant makes up about half of new cases in Quebec.
Duclos said keeping up with booster shots is critical to managing infection rates and preventing the further overwhelming of an already-burdened health system.
"We know that up-to-date vaccination reduces the risk of infection, transmission, severe disease, hospitalization and long-COVID. In short, vaccination brings protection and saves lives," he said.
While the federal government is not mandating booster doses, it says that if your last dose was more than nine months ago, you are no longer considered adequately vaccinated.
DON'T FORGET THE FLU SHOT: DUCLOS
In preparation for the fall flu season, Duclos was in Quebec Friday to pen a deal with GSK to produce millions of additional influenza vaccines.
The deal promises at least four million annual doses for government flu vaccine programs.
It also ensures the production of 80 million additional doses in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Duclos encouraged Canadians to get both the flu and the COVID-19 shot in preparing for what he said will be a "difficult" fall.
Nima Machouf, an epidemiologist based in Montreal, agrees.
She said opting for both the flu and the COVID-19 shot is the safest approach -- particularly if you're older than 65.
She added that while it's far from ideal to require COVID-19 vaccines every six months, the antibodies simply don't last that long, meaning it's the best option.
"A vaccine that gives us protection for at least four months is better than not being protected for those four months," she told CTV News.
While many are tired of hearing about vaccines, Machouf said, the fact remains: some people will get sick, and could have symptoms that last for months -- a risk that's reduced by up-to-date vaccinations.
With files from CTV's Spencer Van Dyk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.