Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

As the holiday party season approaches, Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau is advising people in high-risk groups to get updated COVID and flu vaccinations.

“The situation is different from previous years, and that’s for the better, but there are a few worrisome elements,” Boileau said at a press conference on Nov. 15, pointing out that COVID, seasonal flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – the “cocktail” of viruses which filled emergency rooms last winter – are still circulating in Quebec. He mentioned that data indicated that seasonal flu infections are likely to peak around Christmas. “We’re not in flu season yet, but it’s inevitable, it’s on its way and it might be on its way quickly … it’s better to get vaccinated now than to wait for the wave to come,” he said. He added that RSV infections are also on the rise, although a wave of infections on the scale of last year is not expected.

“Then, of course, there’s COVID,” he said. “It is still around and circulating very actively in the community … we’re not in a wave, but we’re in a period of relative stability. It’s still here.” He said about 100 Quebecers are being hospitalized for the virus every day, and 50 – mostly seniors – are dying every week.

Boileau specifically encouraged people 70 and older, health workers, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and people who share a home with someone in a high-risk group to get up-to- date vaccinations. He pointed out that a flu shot given to a pregnant woman also provides some protection to the newborn baby. Boileau said vaccination was available to everyone in the province, but particularly recommended for people at high risk. He said over one million Quebecers have received a COVID booster this fall.

“It’s getting colder outside, there are going to be more and more gatherings and crowds in shops and so forth, and we’re heading for a time of year where, every year, there are a lot of infections,” Boileau said. He encouraged people to wash their hands frequently, stay home when sick and wear masks if they must go out while experiencing cold- or flu-like symptoms, even if they have tested negative for COVID. He noted that getting vaccinated reduces the risk of complications leading to hospitalization, helps prevent premature deaths and reduces the burden on the province’s health-care system. “Vaccines don’t prevent us from getting sick, but they prevent us from having to deal with the heaviest [consequences] of an illness, and avoid us having to go to hospital, or to the funeral home,” he said.

COVID and seasonal flu vaccinations are available at health clinics and at most pharmacies, and can be given at the same time. Anyone who wishes to get vaccinated can make an appointment online on the ClicSanté portal or call the province’s bilingual vaccine hotline at 1-877-644-4545 (from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Those who have recently had a COVID infection or been vaccinated are advised to wait three to six months before getting a new shot.