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July 21, 2022 – Update by the provincial government regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is a status report on the recent decisions and actions of the provincial government in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccination for children six months to four years of age

Dr. Luc Boileau, National Director of Public Health, and Dr. Nicholas Brousseau, medical specialist in public health at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and Secretary of the Québec Immunization Committee (CIQ), today reported on the COVID-19 situation in Québec.

On July 21, 2022, the CIQ released a notice in favour of vaccination against COVID-19 for children six months to four years of age. Vaccination for this age group will begin in Québec on July 25, 2022.

This involves the Moderna Spikevax (25 µg) vaccine. It will be offered to children who do not present contraindications. The CIQ recommends an extended interval of eight weeks or more between the two vaccine doses.

For the time being, a booster dose is not recommended, except for immunosuppressed children.  For these children, the CIQ suggests a primary series of three doses of the Spikevax (25 µg) vaccine, using an interval of four weeks or more between doses.

Québec received 70,000 doses of the Spikevax vaccine last week, and the appointment slots are available immediately on the Clic-Santé platform.

Increase in hospitalizations

Despite the increase in COVID-19 cases in Québec, the progression of hospitalizations should stabilize soon.

“The new COVID-19 variants are much more contagious than before and currently infect a large number of Quebecers.  Despite the daily increases in cases and hospitalizations, the progression of the virus is tending to stabilize in Québec, particularly for hospitalizations. We are on the way to a plateau,” Dr. Luc Boileau pointed out.

Moreover, the positivity rate was 14.9% on July 20, 2022.

Mask wearing

Public Health calls for great vigilance for the summer season and invites the population to wear a mask at large gatherings, such as festivals and major events, even if they are outdoors.

Return of random tests at airports 

Since July 19, 2022, international travellers can be screened at random for COVID-19 upon their arrival in Canada.

The random tests can be conducted outside airports, in designated stores or pharmacies. People can also self-test online during a virtual appointment.

Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montréal and the Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver Airports are covered by the resumption of this measure.