The seasonal flu vaccination campaign begins on November 1, 2014 in Quebec.
The vaccine is offered free of charge to people who are at higher risk of complications due to their age or he alth condition. This is the case for children aged 6 to 23 months, people with certain chronic illnesses or with a weakened immune system, pregnant women and people aged 60 and over. The list of people eligible for the injectable vaccine is available on the website of the Quebec Ministry of He alth.
Anyone else who wants to protect themselves against seasonal flu can get the vaccine at their own expense. For the 2014-2015 season, the injectable vaccine offered as part of the Quebec flu vaccination program contains the following 3 strains:
- A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)
- A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)
- B/Massachusetts/2/2012
An injectable vaccine made up of 4 different strains is also available on the market, but is not offered as part of the flu vaccination program.
Throughout Quebec, some children aged 2 to 17 can be vaccinated against the seasonal flu free of charge without undergoing the test of the bite thanks to the FluMist, the firstNasal flu vaccine approved by He alth Canada since 2010. The single, eel-free administration, in the form of fine droplets sprayed into the nose, allows the vaccine to enter one of the entry points for the flu virus into the body. 'organization. Recently published scientific data even demonstrates that the intranasal vaccine is more effective than the injectable vaccine for children aged 2 to 17 years.
People 18-59 can also receive the FluMist, but will be charged a fee.
More details are available on the site of the Quebec Ministry of He alth.
To receive the vaccination, you can contact your family doctor, a clinic that offers vaccinations or a he alth and social services centre.
