All Quebecers are now eligible to get their flu shot for free, Quebec announced Friday morning, in an “exceptional” move prompted by a particularly strong flu season and increased traffic in emergency rooms.
This is a marked reversal of policy in Quebec, as previously the flu was not a free-for-all – only those deemed to be at high risk of serious infection were eligible to receive it for free, while the rest of the population he had to pay – out of pocket.
Health experts say they welcome Quebec’s decision, but say the province is late to the game, already dealing with larger-than-usual surges in emergency rooms everywhere.
“I was elated that they finally woke up and smelled the coffee, but it’s just a little late because I’ve been visiting the wards this week and it’s half RSV and half flu,” said Dr. Earl Rubin, director of Montreal Children’s Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases.
Anyone looking to book an appointment can find one at clicsante.ca.
Quebec Public Health is particularly urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated, including those over 60, those in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and people with compromised immune systems. People living with at-risk roommates are also encouraged to get vaccinated, as are support workers.
Families of children under six and health workers should also book their shots, Public Health said.
People who have already paid for their shot will not be refunded, according to the government.
Dr. Rubin said he hopes the positive message will come with awareness campaigns because Quebecers are not used to widely available flu vaccinations.
He said his emergency room is now like a “war zone” with children flooding the hospital with respiratory viruses.
“I’ve been doing this for 35 years, I’ve never seen it like it is now. Never,” he said, adding that making the footage available to everyone gives some hope.
“Right now, our emergency departments and clinics are overwhelmed. This will help not only the medical system but also the children because they are sick. And once you’ve had the flu, you’re convinced you want the flu shot next year.”
THERE IS STILL TIME TO ‘CONTROLL’ THE FLU
In the past few weeks, flu cases have increased almost sixfold in Quebec, a trend that is expected to continue, said Dr. Donald Winn, an infectious disease specialist at McGill University Health Center (MUHC), as he reacted to the news of the free flu shots. As a result, his advice to those who are ambivalent about getting the vaccine is unequivocal.
“There’s a good match between what’s in the vaccine and what’s circulating, so people shouldn’t try to find reasons to avoid the flu shot.” They should try to find a place where they can get a flu shot,” he said.
“We should take this as a positive step in the right direction, even if it is quite late … there is still an opportunity to contain the flu epidemic,” he said.
Wynn also described the government’s delayed response as a missed opportunity, especially since the province stepped up its vaccination campaign this season a month earlier than usual, in early October.
“If we had been proactive and not only had an earlier start to the vaccination season, but made it widely and freely available as is being done in other provinces, we might have softened or moderated the next few weeks,” Winn said.
As for those who might downplay the effectiveness of the flu shot, he suggested they reassess the odds and see the glass as half full.
“It’s 50 percent effective in preventing hospitalization.” If you want to play Lotto Max, that’s an amazing statistic … and it’s a no-brainer” when it comes to betting on a flu shot, he said, explaining that people who get the shot may still feel like they have the flu and feel sick if they catch it, but they are much less likely to have a severe case.
OVERCROWDED EMERGENCY ROOMS
The lifting of all restrictions on flu shots comes after emergency health workers warned of increased traffic in emergency rooms, allocating thin resources to those battling symptoms of the virus and those needing care for other reasons.
Earlier this week, Ste-Justine Hospital’s chief pediatrician, Dr Anne Monique Newt, said her hospital had reached “historic” and “unprecedented” levels of overcrowding.
“It’s not something we’ve seen in 20 years,” she told CTV.
The Montreal Children’s Hospital was forced to postpone several surgeries in part because of a lack of available beds.
Part of this overcrowding is attributed to extremely high levels of circulating viruses, particularly influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Quebec Public Health noted that a triple threat of viruses is making its way through the population as flu, RSV and COVID-19 continue to spread in the province.
Public health said the free vaccine program will be reevaluated next year.
With files from CTV Montreal’s Tanya Kriviak and Joe Lofaro
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