Some experts are concerned about future influenza and COVID-19 clashes

Public health authorities in Montreal-Quebec are preparing to avoid potential catastrophes, especially during the flu season, especially when the COVID-19 vaccine is unavailable.

Québec’s Department of Health has decided to increase its immunization program this fall from last fall to boost immunization rates among people at risk of complications and hospitalization, according to a ministry spokeswoman. I have ordered more than a million influenza vaccines.

Those who meet the Quebec Immunization Commission’s criteria will receive a total of 2 million doses (see below for a complete list).

That’s far from the universal coverage that some wanted, especially during the pandemic.

Dr. Matthew Outon, a Montreal infectious disease specialist, will give free vaccines to all Quebecs who could help prevent the worst in Quebec if the flu season clashes with the COVID-19 outbreak. I will offer it.

“If we could do anything to reduce the flu illness, we could be better placed to deal with the next wave of COVID-19 that could occur at the same time, and we would be swept away by the two. The waves I don’t want.”

All states and territories, except British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Quebec, provide universal influenza vaccines.

Healthy people with the flu are not at high risk of serious illness requiring hospitalization. However, the head of infectious disease at the Jewish General Hospital points out that with every flu outbreak in Quebec, the emergency room becomes overcrowded.

“So let’s say you have a regular flu season, plus Covid-19. It’s a nightmare,” says Karlweiss.

“The flu vaccine is not a good vaccine and can’t be 100% protected,” Weiss adds. “Having everyone with the flu vaccine would reduce the impact of the flu and probably better deal with it. COVID 19.

According to Dr. Owton, who also works for Jewish officers, the additional benefit of providing influenza vaccines to everyone is the access to a very important and cost-effective means of preventing preventable diseases of the vaccine. Is to maximize… Step through the list of all signs and exceptions. “

Influenza vaccines have also been available at many pharmacies across the state for the past few years, costing between $20 and $40 per visit, depending on the store.

Last year, a Quebec pharmacy purchased 200,000 flu shots from the Quebec Pharmacy Agency Association for sale to customers not covered by the public plan.

Mousso hasn’t come yet, so I’m still not sure if the pharmacy ordered more vaccines in the coming flu season than last year, but if you want to increase your inventory later, such an order will help. Limited supply that may not be possible.

Vaccines take months to manufacture, so distributors, like states, must order vaccines from manufacturers a year ago.

“In Australia and New Zealand, we have taken into account the increase in demand for vaccines, which has increased by 10-40%,” Mussault explained.

The flu epidemic in Australia is highly monitored and carefully monitored to understand what happens in North America.

As a positive note, Dr. Gaston de Serre of the National Institute of Public Health in Quebec told CTV, “Current surveillance data show that indicators of influenza and flu-like illness are all lower than normal. Estimates suggest that COVID-19-related distance measurements and mask wear may help prevent influenza and coronaviruses.

De Serre said this is a good incentive for Quebecs to stick to public health practices here from fall to winter.

The following are influenza vaccine targets in Quebec from 2020 to 2021:

• Children between 6 and 17 months with certain chronic illnesses

• Adults with certain chronic illnesses, including pregnant women at all stages of pregnancy

• Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters

• 75 years old or older

• Those who live with an infant under 6 months, or who live with a person at high risk of hospitalization or death, or who are carers

• health care worker