Vaccination

 The COVID-19 vaccine, however, is free of charge only for people eligible under the Québec Immunization Program:

• People living in residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs), private seniors' residences (RPAs), or living environments where there are many vulnerable seniors 
• People age 65 or older 
• People age 6 months and over living with a chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, significant obesity, heart or lung problems, etc.),:  or who are immunosuppressed or on dialysis
• Pregnant people
• Health-care workers

For more about COVID-19
For more about COVID-19 vaccination 

The influenza vaccine is offered free of charge to the entire population age 6 months and over, and is strongly recommended for people at risk of complications:

• People age 65 and over living in residential and long-term care centres (CHSLD) and intermediate resources for seniors with impaired independence (RI-SAPA) 
• People living with a chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, severe obesity, heart or lung problems, etc.) or who are immunosuppressed or on dialysis:  
• People age 65 or older
• Pregnant women (2nd and 3rd trimesters) 

People who can transmit influenza to people at risk of complications:

• Health-care workers
• Informal caregivers or people who live with people at risk

Find out more about influenza (flu)
Find out more about influenza (flu) vaccination

Immunization against RSV involves preventive treatment with nirsevimab. Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody that provides babies with pre-made antibodies to protect them against severe RSV infections.

Who can receive this treatment? 

Nirsevimab is offered free of charge to:

• Babies born on or after April 1, 2025
• Babies born on or after February 1, 2025, who are at risk of complications
• Children born on or after March 1, 2024, from 8 to 18 months of age, who are at risk of complications

Which children are at risk of complications?

Certain medical conditions increase the risk of RSV-related complications, such as:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
• Lung diseases: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung disease, or moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension
• Respiratory problems caused by muscular disorders or malformations: significant impediment to the evacuation of airway secretions, due to a neuromuscular disorder or congenital anomaly of the upper airways 
• Heart disease or malformation: congenital heart disease or hemodynamically significant cardiomyopathy 
• Bone marrow, stem-cell, or solid-organ transplants

How is this treatment available?

Treatment can be offered and given by staff in the following locations: 

• CLSCs 
• Birthing centres 
• Maternity centres (hospitals)

Parents of eligible children can make an appointment at a local service point:    

• Online atClic Santé
• By telephone at 819-565-4845 (toll-free: 1-833-255-1995).

Immunization against RSV involves receiving a vaccine, which is provided free of charge to: 

• People age 60 and over living in CHSLDs or intermediate resources for seniors with impaired independence (RI-SAPA)
• People age 75 and over living in private seniors' residences (RPAs) that offer assistance or nursing-care services (categories 3 and 4)

This vaccine is administered by CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS mobile teams during the seasonal vaccination campaign against COVID-19 and influenza). No appointment is necessary. 
 

It is preferable to receive the recommended vaccines when they are offered during a school vaccination campaign. If the vaccination has not been administered at that time, it is possible to make an appointment at a local point of service to receive the service.

This vaccination can be given before or after exposure to the disease.

POST-EXPOSURE

A dose of the simian pox vaccine may be given if, within the past 14 days, you have had:

• direct contact with the skin, lesions or body fluids of a person with simian pox symptoms;

OR

• direct contact with items (such as clothing, bedding, sex toys) potentially contaminated by the body fluids or secretions of a person with simian pox symptoms;

OR

• prolonged close contact with a person with simian pox symptoms (3 or more hours less than 1 metre away, face to face, without having worn a medical-grade mask).

In the event that a person has symptoms consistent with simian pox at the time of vaccination, the vaccine may not be administered.

PRE-EXPOSURE

Sex workers

OR

Man (cis or trans) who is having or will have sex with another man (cis or trans), in one of the following situations:

• sex with more than one regular partner

OR

• sex in a place where sexual activities take place

OU

• sex in exchange for money, goods or services.

Staff and volunteers in a social setting or event where sexual activities between men (cis or trans) may take place may also receive a dose of simian pox vaccine.

Men (cis or trans) with one regular sex partner need not receive the simian pox vaccine.

Do you meet the above criteria? If so, you can get the vaccine by making an appointment.