The influenza vaccination rate is slightly lower than last year, and the H3N2 flu virus subtype could be particularly virulent for people over 65. This raises fears that Quebec could experience one of the worst flu seasons “in a long time.”
Quebec has one of the lowest influenza vaccination rates in the country. Coverage in the general population (ages 18 to 64) was 18 per cent last year, the lowest in Canada. By comparison, British Columbia ranks highest for this age group with 38 per cent.
Quebec also struggles to vaccinate its seniors. According to the latest figures from Santé Québec, a quarter (25.2 per cent) of people aged 65 to 74 received the flu vaccine this year (compared to 27.2 per cent in 2024). Among those aged 75 and over, 35.9 per cent were vaccinated (compared to 37.1 per cent in 2024).
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has set a national target of 80% of seniors being vaccinated against influenza.
People of all ages can catch the flu virus and develop complications, but seniors are much more affected. In Quebec, as elsewhere in Canada, this age group accounts for the majority of the 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths caused by the disease each year.
Around the world, influenza viruses travel from east to west, allowing Canada to observe what is happening elsewhere. Currently, the situation in Australia is concerning, according to Benoît Mâsse, an infectious disease specialist and professor of biostatistics at l’Université de Montréal’s School of Public Health.
“What we know is that Australia may have had one of its worst flu seasons in the last 10 years. In the United Kingdom, the season started perhaps a month early—they are at the beginning of an epidemic, which also seems to confirm what we are seeing in Australia—so what we have observed is that what is coming could be H3N2, which mutated during the summer. What we know about H3N2 is that it hits older people particularly hard. So this could be one of the worst flu years we’ve seen in a long time,” predicts Mâsse.
Shortage of COVID vaccines in pharmacies
In addition, several pharmacies have reported that they have temporarily run out of COVID-19 vaccines, while others have come close to exhausting their stocks. In an email sent to The Canadian Press, Santé Québec confirmed that “several regions have seen a strong response from citizens to the vaccination offer, which may have created some temporary shortages in specific locations.”
However, the government agency maintains that “no supply or availability issues are anticipated.” It assures that all citizens eligible for free vaccination will have access to a vaccine during the current campaign.
It should be noted that this year, Canadian provinces had to decide whether to continue offering COVID-19 vaccination free of charge to their citizens. Some provinces, such as Ontario, decided to continue offering it free of charge, while others, such as Alberta and Quebec, have restricted free access to this vaccination.
In Quebec, the flu vaccine is free for everyone. For COVID-19, the general population must pay around $150 to $180. People with chronic diseases, those over 65, healthcare workers, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those living in isolated areas are eligible for free vaccination.
To remedy the problems with COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Santé Québec says that additional vaccine deliveries are expected by the end of November. “Regular reorganizations are being carried out to ensure that appointments booked by citizens are honoured,” it says.
According to the latest figures from Santé Québec, 20.8 per cent of the 65-74 age group have received the COVID-19 vaccine (compared to 24.1 per cent in 2024). Among those aged 74 and over, the rate is 30.6 per cent (compared to 32.4 per cent in 2024). More specifically, 61.6 per cent of residents in CHSLDs have been vaccinated against COVID-19 (compared to 58.5 per cent in 2024) and 39 per cent in RPAs (compared to 34.2 per cent in 2024).
–The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
