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December 7, 2021 – Provincial government update on the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the provincial government regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine recommended for new groups

Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services, Horacio Arruda, National Director of Public Health in Québec, and Daniel Paré, Director of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Québec, announced that a booster shot can soon be given to new priority groups.

“A precautionary approach is favoured in the current context, particularly in view of the emergence of the Omicron variant,” Mr. Dubé said. “This is why we are announcing the expansion of the groups that can have a booster, which is safe and will undoubtedly be very effective in providing a high level of protection.”

The decision is based on recommendations from the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec (CIQ). A six-month interval is necessary between the last dose and the booster shot.

These groups are immediately eligible for the third dose:

  • Workers in the health and social services network who are in contact with clients;
  • People in isolated and remote communities;
  • Adults with a chronic disease or health problem that increases the risk of complications from COVID-19 ;
  • Pregnant women.

Adults with a chronic disease or health condition that increases the risk of complications from COVID-19 and pregnant women can make an appointment now on the Clic Santé website.

Workers in the healthcare system will receive information about making appointments from their employers, which information for people in remote and isolated communities will be provided by their healthcare institutions.

The third vaccine dose is already available for the following groups:

  • People aged 70 and over;
  • People living in long-term-care centres (CHSLDs) and intermediate and family-type resources (IR-FTRs);
  • People living in private residences for seniors (RPAs);
  • Some religious communities;
  • People who have received two doses of AstraZeneca and Covishield vaccines or one dose of Janssen vaccine;
  • People who are immunocompromised and on dialysis.

People aged 60 to 69

After the Holiday season, the booster dose will be offered to people aged 60 to 69. They can make an appointment on Clic Santé:

  • Starting Tuesday, January 4, 2022, for people aged 65 to 69;
  • Starting Thursday, January 6, for people aged 60 to 64.

Relaxation of measures for private gatherings

Effective December 23, a maximum of 20 people will be allowed to gather inside homes. It is strongly recommended that people be fully vaccinated to participate.

Vaccination for children aged 5 to 11

To date, some 200,000 children have been vaccinated and another 100,000 are waiting for their appointment, which represents 43% of this age group.

It is worth noting that 82.2% of Quebecers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 78.1% are fully vaccinated.