Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination is offered free of charge to anyone aged 6 months and older upon request.

A booster dose with the XBB.1.5 vaccine is particularly recommended for those at higher risk of complications, such as :

• Residents of CHSLDs, RPAs, or other collective settings with a high proportion of elderly and vulnerable people;
• People aged 60 and over;
• People aged 6 months and over considered at high risk of complications, immunocompromised, or on dialysis;
• Healthcare workers;
• Pregnant women;
• Adults living in remote and isolated regions.

This booster dose is particularly recommended for those who never had COVID-19.

The interval is 6 months or more since the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or a confirmed COVID-19 infection.

This booster dose with the XBB.1.5 vaccine could be administered to healthy individuals aged 6 months to 59 years who wish to receive it.

Influenza vaccination is offered free of charge to anyone aged 6 months and older upon request. The vaccine is particularly recommended for those at higher risk of complications, such as:

• People aged 75 and over;
• People aged 6 months and older with certain chronic illnesses;
• People aged 6 months and older with certain chronic illnesses;
• Pregnant women :
  • regardless of the stage of their pregnancy, if they have certain chronic illnesses;
  • who are 13 weeks pregnant or more.

Vaccination is also recommended for people who might transmit the flu to those at higher risk of complications.

This vaccine can be administered before or after exposure to the disease.

It is reserved for individuals targeted by public health authorities.

Since May 1, 2023, the inactivated vaccine is offered free of charge to individuals aged 80 and over and immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and over.

Individuals aged 50 to 79 can also receive the vaccine to reduce their risk of developing the disease. However, these individuals must pay for the vaccine. The cost may vary.

The vaccination schedule for children aged 0 to 18 months includes vaccines offered free of charge as part of the Québec Immunization Program. Young children are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases, especially when they start attending daycare. Children should receive their first vaccines at 2 months of age to be protected quickly.

This service is offered at CLSCs.

A vaccination schedule is available for school-aged children. Between 4 and 6 years old, vaccines are recommended in preparation for kindergarten entry.

This service is offered at CLSCs.

The vaccination schedule continues as part of the school program in the 4th grade of elementary school and the 3rd grade of high school.

A recommended and free vaccination schedule is also available for adults aged 18 and over. The schedule is based on age or medical conditions where the risk of contracting the disease is highest:

• The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 65 and over;
• The influenza vaccine (offered annually in the fall-winter) is recommended every year from age 75;
• The pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is recommended for pregnant women of all ages; one dose during each pregnancy, ideally between the 26th and 32nd week. The vaccine can be given at other times during pregnancy if not possible between the 26th and 32nd week;
• A dose of the diphtheria and tetanus (dT) vaccine is recommended at age 50;
• The shingles vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 80 and over and those aged 18 and over with a weakened immune system.

Other vaccines may also be recommended based on medical conditions, living environments, or lifestyle habits. An assessment is completed at the time of the vaccination appointment at CLSCs.

Most health problems related to foreign travel are preventable through preventive measures such as adopting safe behaviors, vaccination, or medication.

Travel health services are now offered in about thirty community pharmacies and private travel health clinics. For any needs related to assessment or vaccination for their trip, travelers can consult one of these resources.

Note that these services are not financially supported by the Quebec immunization program and are paid services.