When accessory fees were banned in Quebec that meant vaccinations would no longer be available at a doctor’s office.
That could soon change in the province because Quebec’s Health Minister Gaétan Barrette is rethinking the ban on charging for vaccines.
Julie White, a spokesperson for Barrette, confirmed to Global News a review is taking place throughout the fall.
READ MORE: Quebec health minister says modifying accessory fee ban could be possible
Montreal pediatrician Dr. John Yaremko welcomes the news and says the idea of having doctors charge fees for vaccinations is convenient.
“I think in terms of choice, parents can get vaccines for free at the CLSC,” Yaremko said. “If they feel it’s easier for them or more comfortable for them to get it at their doctor’s office then they’ll get it done for a very reasonable fee and they have insurance money to cover it.”
WATCH BELOW: Quebec doctors could soon again charge for vaccines
Yaremko said that with the current ban, parents would come for a routine visit, but would then have to go to a CLSC (free, provincially run health clinics) to get the vaccine.
“Sometimes, and often actually in the Montreal area, the delay of vaccines was two or three months from when it should actually be given optimally,” Yaremko told Global News. “It was not the ideal situation.”
READ MORE: Abolishing accessory fees in Quebec: what does that mean for you?
White said a final decision could be made by the end of the fall or beginning of next year.
“It was the children who would lose out by not getting their vaccine at all or delayed,” Yaremko said. “I think if we can change that, I think it would be very beneficial for everybody.”
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