Flu season strikes Quebec early — and most people now have to pay for the shot

Flu season is hitting Quebec early this year. It doesn't mean that it's going to be a steep incline. It just means that influenza is already circulating and therefore getting your vaccine earlier rather than later is likely a good idea. People could start booking vaccinations as of today but they're no longer free for everyone in Quebec. For the first time since the pandemic only certain vulnerable groups are eligible. That includes seniors, 65 or older, people with certain chronic diseases, pregnant people, caregivers or people living in the same household as vulnerable people, and health care workers. Quebec started offering free flu vaccines for everyone during the pandemic. Most other provinces still do. Quebec is choosing not to do so now based on the recommendations of a committee that looked at immunization before the pandemic. That committee found the best way to reduce hospitalizations and deaths from the flu was to target the most vulnerable populations. If you just open your gates and people come in because they want to get vaccinated, which is fine, you might not put the efforts and energy on getting those that are at high risk of complications. Essentially, she says the goal is not to prevent everyone from getting the flu, but to try to prevent vulnerable people from getting really sick from it. The flu shots composition changes every year based on a best guess from experts on what strains might dominate during flu season. Quastan says it's still too early to say how effective this year's vaccine might be. She still recommends everyone get it. But if you're not on that list of vulnerable people, it'll cost you anywhere from $30 to $50.