2023-11-16 02:00:11
MONTREAL — Referring to “serious” circulation of COVID-19 and an imminent wave of influenza in Quebec, the national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, invites people at risk to be vaccinated quickly.
More specifically, people aged 60 and over, and especially those over the age of 70, are invited to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Boileau adds that people over 70 who have never been infected with the virus are particularly likely to experience complications.
Currently, around a third of the population aged 70 and over have received a booster dose against COVID-19. A rate which should increase to around 45% after the vaccination sessions planned in places of accommodation over the coming weeks. Dr. Boileau would like to see this rate reach at least 60% and preferably 70%.
According to the national director of public health, there are still around a hundred new hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 daily in Quebec. The number of beds occupied by infected patients still exceeds a thousand. There are also around fifty deaths per week attributed to the virus. The network’s hospital capacity is suffering and this risks once again being put to the test at the dawn of the cold season.
“We anticipate that with the rapprochements (the circulation of) viruses could increase even more,” warns Dr. Boileau. If we don’t pay attention, if people don’t come and protect themselves, we think there could be an additional burden on our health system and that’s not what we want.”
Data available to public health suggests that the situation in emergency rooms will worsen in the coming weeks due to the circulation of respiratory viruses.
Moreover, if the flu has started to circulate slowly, we expect the wave of influenza to sweep through Quebec “probably before Christmas or near Christmas.” For this reason, public health is appealing to pregnant women.
These women are warned that they are more likely to suffer from influenza-related complications during their pregnancy. In addition, Dr. Boileau emphasizes that the vaccine given to the mother has a protective effect on the baby at birth.
Just as is the case for the COVID-19 vaccine, people at risk and seniors are among the target groups invited to receive the vaccine. Health care personnel are also called upon to protect themselves against the flu.
In order to promote better access to vaccination, we invite people to regularly visit the Clic-Santé platform to find a time slot that suits them. We ensure that new availability is regularly posted.
Rise in RSV
Another situation that affects hospital traffic is the high circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children.
“It is actually increasing in our pediatric contexts,” said Dr. Boileau. We see it progress every week and we see this wave rising which affects our emergency rooms and our pediatric hospitalizations.
Regarding the vaccination of children against COVID-19 or influenza, public health reiterates that doses are available for the entire population aged over six months. Parents who wish can have their children vaccinated.
“We don’t recommend it for everyone, we offer it. If people want to benefit from it, there is no problem, it is there, it is available,” summarized Dr. Boileau.
In the case of families with a child suffering from serious or chronic illnesses, it is recommended to vaccinate all siblings as well as parents and those close to them.
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