Pop-up clinics, phone line launched to reach Quebec's unvaccinated
Quebec will launch pop-up clinics and a phone line to reach unvaccinated citizens in an effort to increase first vaccinations in regions where rates are lowest.
Junior health minister Lionel Carmant made the announcement on Monday.
"We want to go meet people in the field. We want to explain the pros of vaccination by using a positive approach," said Carmant.
Carmant said a phone line will soon be up to answer concerns about the vaccine for those who are hesitant.
Beginning Thursday, a pop-up clinic will open at the CLSC Sainte-Catherine in Montreal's downtown core.
"Over the next few weeks other clinics will open up," said Carmant.
In Quebec, about eight per cent of the population has not received a first dose of vaccine.
Carmant said it is not only anti-vaxxers that have not received a dose, and that marginalized and vulnerable populations in addition to those who are afraid of getting a dose are among the unvaccinated.
"Several actions have been undertaken over the past few months to reach these populations, but I believe that it's necessary to do more," he said.
The new plan will work in cooperation with McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. Med students will help identify neighbourhoods in which to intervene.
Quebec vaccination campaign director Daniel Pare said the future strategy will include buses and opening clinics in regions where vaccination rates are low.
"We're really going towards the population and that's what we'll do," he said.
Carmant said teams will not be going door-to-door, but will work with community organizations and local leaders.
"The community organizations are fundamental partners in this campaign," he said.
The pop-up clinics will remain for one or two weeks in hopes that numbers will increase.
"Every dose given is going to be a little victory for me," said Carmant.
Carmant said past pop-up clinics have worked and that they are to thank for the province going from around 1.2 million unvaccinated to 600,000.
"So now we want to use the same technique and intensify it, increase the visibility to have further success with this technique," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6856928.1713806557!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.