Quebecers can get vaccinated against the flu starting Nov. 1
Quebecers looking to get vaccinated against the flu will be able to do so as of Nov. 1, according to the Quebec government.
"Vaccination is still the best way to protect against the flu, mainly for people with a chronic disease and for seniors aged 75 and over," the province's health ministry states. "These people have a much higher risk of complications, hospitalization or death related to the influenza virus."
Simple hygiene measures, such as washing hands, are also good ways to protect yourself and your family against the flu and other respiratory viruses.
The ministry has outlined certain vulnerable groups to receive the flu shot for free:
- People aged six months to 74 years with certain chronic diseases;
- People aged 75 and over;
- Children and teens (six months to 17 years) on long-term acetylsalicylic acid therapy;
- Residents of all ages in long-term care centres (CHSLD) and intermediate resources (IR);
- Pregnant women with certain illnesses or chronic conditions, regardless of their stage of pregnancy;
- Healthy pregnant women, in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of their pregnancy (13 weeks or more);
- People living in remote and isolated communities, with priority given to those who have a high risk of complications;
- Travellers with chronic illnesses or conditions who will be travelling to an area where influenza viruses are prevalent;
- People living in the same household as people in the above-mentioned high-risk groups and those who care for them at home (family caregivers);
- Health care workers, especially those who administer care and treatment at hospitals or long-term care centres (CHSLD).
The flu vaccination is also free of charge to healthy children from six to 23-months-old, as well as healthy people from 60 to 74-years-old.
The ministry notes if you are not one of the target groups but still want to be vaccinated against the flu, you can contact your pharmacy, doctor or private vaccination clinic.
Quebec's flu vaccination campaign starts Nov. 1.
Appointments, which are mandatory, can be made either by selecting "seasonal flu vaccine" on Clic-Santé, or by telephone at 1-877-817-5279.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.