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April 7, 2021 – Québec government update on the COVID-19 pandemic
Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the provincial government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccination for people 60 years of age and over
Starting Monday, people 60 years of age and over can make an appointment to get a vaccination anywhere in Québec, said Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé.
The minister stated, however, that the number of vaccine doses is limited, and appointments could spread out over several weeks in the province’s 19 regions.
Essential workers and people with chronic diseases
Since the vaccination of people 60 years of age and over on the Island of Montréal has essentially been completed, people under 60 years of age suffering from a chronic disease and people working in essential sectors on the Island of Montréal will now be able to get vaccinated in a Montréal vaccination centre upon presentation of proof of work, even if they do not reside on the Island of Montréal.
People suffering from a serious chronic disease requiring regular hospital follow-up will be vaccinated in clinics set up on site or in a pharmacy.
People suffering from a serious disease include, in particular, those who have had an organ or bone marrow transplant, are receiving cancer treatment, are on dialysis for kidney failure or have previously had an allergic reaction to a vaccine and are being followed by an allergist.
Essential workers include all school staff in elementary and secondary schools, daycare workers, firefighters, police officers, prison guards, temporary foreign workers, slaughterhouse workers, mine workers in remote regions and anyone working in the community sector.
Vaccination without an appointment for people 55 years of age and over
People 55 years of age and over will be able to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in vaccination clinics as of tomorrow, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., without an appointment. This possibility is being offered in light of the reticence of many to receive this vaccine due to the very low risk of it causing blood clots.
People in older age brackets who already have an appointment in a vaccination clinic for a later date can also go to the walk-in clinics if they wish to be vaccinated earlier, said Minister Dubé.
The list of walk-in clinics will be available shortly, but the minister stated that the Olympic Stadium and the Palais des congrès will offer the AstraZeneca vaccine without an appointment.
Some 350,000 doses of AstraZeneca are available. However, the AstraZeneca vaccine will not be offered in Abitibi-Témiscamingue where the South African variant is present and is resistant to this vaccine.
Vaccination blitz in June
Minister of Health and Social Services Christian Dubé announced that the largest vaccination blitz will be held in June in Québec, when 4 million vaccine doses will be received.
The vaccination rate in June will vary from 100,000 to 130,000 people per day, compared with 45,000 in April and May.
Minister Dubé specified that despite the fact that approximately 5,000 people did not show up for their appointments this weekend, some 300,000 did get vaccinated, which demonstrates the efficiency of the vaccination system in place. “Less than 2% of people did not show up for their appointment,” said the minister, but stressed that no doses were lost.
On Tuesday, 145,000 people made appointments on the Clic Santé portal.
Vaccinations for the general population should be available within the next four to six weeks.