All Quebecers will be able to get a flu shot free of charge, effective immediately.
According to a statement released by the Health Ministry on Friday morning, it is an “exceptional” measure for this year due to “significant traffic” in the province’s emergency rooms.
Hospitals are dealing with overcrowding due to rising cases of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and influenza.
“The imminent arrival of the holiday season justifies access to the flu vaccine,” the ministry wrote.
Get weekly health news
Until Friday, the flu vaccine was only free to “at-risk” Quebecers. Otherwise, it was $40 for a jab. Quebec’s health director, Dr. Luc Boileau, originally said last week that the shot would not be free because it wasn’t recommended by the province’s immunization committee.
- Family fighting to bring B.C. senior home after she fell into a coma in China
- Albertan in perpetual pain amid diagnosis delays demands change: ‘Just want my life back’
- 33% of Canadian women wait more than 2 years for menopause care: survey
- City of Calgary reaches major milestone in repairs to Bearspaw feeder main
-
![]()
Scathing report on long-term care from B.C. seniors advocate -
![]()
Austria becomes latest country to pass social media restrictions for kids -
![]()
Alberta man with spinal cyst calls for health-care system changes after months of waiting for answers to his pain -
![]()
N.B. legislature has officially wrapped up, with environmentalists leaving the session disappointed
The statement also says those who already paid will not be reimbursed and the “exceptional” measure is for this year only. It will be reassessed next year.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.