The booster dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 will be recommended only for Quebecers who have never been contaminated by the virus, indicated the national director of public health of Quebec.
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The vaccination offer in the province has been adjusted since the majority of Quebecers have now been exposed to the virus.
People over 60, those who are immunocompromised or who live with a chronic illness can get an additional dose of the vaccine after six months if they wish. The same is true for pregnant women and healthcare workers.
- Listen to the interview with Dr. Luc Boileau, national director of public health on QUB radio:
“The booster dose can still be administered to anyone who wishes to receive it. We will not refuse anyone, ”said Dr. Luc Boileau during a press briefing on Thursday.
Other recommendations from the Quebec Immunization Committee (CIQ) will be made later for the fall period. The question of seasonal vaccination has not yet been discussed.
A large proportion of citizens benefit from hybrid immunity – an infection with the virus and the vaccine – which offers very good protection against a serious manifestation of the disease.
“Adding a dose of vaccination does not add much to their protection against severe outcomes,” said Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, pediatrician, microbiologist-infectiologist at CHU Sainte-Justine and president of the Committee on immunization of the Quebec (CIQ).
Despite a drop in COVID-19, the virus is still present in the province with the arrival of the XBB.1.5 variant. “, he added.
A general decline in respiratory viruses
Quebec withstood the wave of respiratory viruses that hit the province shortly before the holidays.
“There is a significant drop in respiratory viruses compared to what we saw a few weeks ago,” said the national director of public health.
Fewer and fewer Quebecers are infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, offering some respite from the pediatric emergencies that were overflowing before the holidays.