Vaccination
Vaccines protect the body from diseases that can make you very ill. They help the body to boost its immunological defences to prevent infections without causing disease.
Vaccination is a simple, effective and safe public health initiative. It's one of the best protective measures against many serious diseases.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines
Mass vaccination against respiratory viruses (COVID-19 and influenza) is underway.
Vaccinations are recommended for vulnerable people. Vaccination against COVID-19 in the Eastern Townships is available to all people aged 6 months and over.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for :
Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for :
- People living in CHSLDs, RPAs, and other group settings with a high proportion of elderly and vulnerable individuals
- People aged 60 years and older
- People aged 6 months and older who are immunocompromised or on dialysis;
- Those aged six months and over living with a chronic disease (heart, lung, diabetes, severe obesity, etc.)
- Healthcare workers
- Pregnant persons
- Adults living in remote and isolated areas
Vaccination against the flu is recommended for :
Vaccination against the flu is recommended for
- People aged 75 years and older
- People aged 6 months and older who have certain chronic diseases
- People of any age living in residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs) and in intermediate resources.
- Pregnant women:
- regardless of their trimester, who have certain chronic diseases
- who have been pregnant for 13 weeks and longer.
The vaccine is also recommended to anyone likely to transmit the flu to those who are more vulnerable to complications from the flu, namely:
- Family members living in the same household as a child under 6 months of age
- Family members living in the same household as someone aged 75 years and older, people who have certain chronic diseases or pregnant women
- Informal caregivers for residents in CHSLDs or intermediate resources, people aged 75 years and older, people with certain chronic diseases and pregnant women
- Healthcare workers
Vaccination for Children 0-4 years old
Vaccinations for children are available at CLSCs. Contact your CLSC to make an appointment.
It's very important to follow the schedule recommended by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), and not to miss any deadlines, in order to protect your child from infection as quickly as possible.
There are few reasons why a child shouldn't be vaccinated. If you have any questions, you can discuss them with your doctor or CLSC nurse.
- Learn more about vaccinations for children
- Find out more about measles
- Consult the "entretien motivationnel des parents" video (available in French only)
At your child's 18-month immunization appointment, the nurse will assess your child's development and health using the 18-month+ ABCdaire. She will also answer any questions you may have.
Vaccination for Adults and Children 4 years and older
Vaccination of people aged 4 and over is offered at points de service locaux. The service is intended for health-care workers, people with special medical conditions, pregnant women and people whose vaccination schedule is behind schedule. During mass vaccination campaigns, such as for influenza, all eligible people can book an appointment.
Staff analyze your vaccination status and offer you the free vaccines recommended for you under the Québec Immunization Program, e.g. shingles (75+), pneumococcus (65+), etc.
Book an appointment on clicsante.ca
Vaccination in schools
It is preferable to receive the recommended vaccines when they are offered during a school vaccination campaign. If the vaccination has not been administered at that time, it is possible to make an appointment at a local point of service to receive the service.
Respiratory syncytial virus (VRS)
Immunization is offered free of charge to babies meeting certain criteria. Preventive treatment is a monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, which is available at CLSCs, local service points, birthing centers and delivery centers (hospitals).
Certain adults, such as pregnant women (between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy) or people aged 60 and over, are eligible to receive the VRS vaccine at a pharmacy or medical clinic, although fees will apply.
Find out more about symptoms and transmission
Vaccination against Monkeypox
To find out more about symptoms and transmission, visit the Quebec government's simian smallpox/mpox page.
Eligibility Criteria
This vaccination can be given before or after exposure to the disease.
POST-EXPOSURE
A dose of the simian pox vaccine may be given if, within the past 14 days, you have had:
- direct contact with the skin, lesions or body fluids of a person with simian pox symptoms;
OR
- direct contact with items (such as clothing, bedding, sex toys) potentially contaminated by the body fluids or secretions of a person with simian pox symptoms;
OR
- prolonged close contact with a person with simian pox symptoms (3 or more hours less than 1 metre away, face to face, without having worn a medical-grade mask).
In the event that a person has symptoms consistent with simian pox at the time of vaccination, the vaccine may not be administered.
PRE-EXPOSURE
Sex workers
OR
Man (cis or trans) who is having or will have sex with another man (cis or trans), in one of the following situations:
- sex with more than one regular partner
OR
- sex in a place where sexual activities take place
OU
- sex in exchange for money, goods or services.
Staff and volunteers in a social setting or event where sexual activities between men (cis or trans) may take place may also receive a dose of simian pox vaccine.
Men (cis or trans) with one regular sex partner need not receive the simian pox vaccine.
Do you meet the above criteria? If so, you can get the vaccine by making an appointment.
Book an appointment :
Online
Book an appointment on clicsante.ca
Select the mpox (simian smallpox) vaccine sub-category
By phone
1-877-644-4545
Vaccination for Travellers
To check whether you need one or more vaccinations before you travel, consult a pharmacy or travel health clinic.
Vaccines required for travel, such as those for yellow fever, cholera or typhoid, are not available at points de service locaux.
Whether you're traveling for business, adventure or pleasure, you can meet with a nurse or doctor to:
- get advice on diseases transmitted through water, food or by insects
- get specific recommendations regarding your activities and health status
- update your regular immunization schedule and obtain a vaccination follow-up if required
- get the right vaccines for your destination, the length of your stay, and your health condition
- get medical prescriptions to prevent and treat malaria, traveller's diarrhea and altitude (mountain) sickness
- get the latest information on travel alerts and travel warnings.
Book an appointment on clicsante.ca