[Translated from French]

Quebecers will be able to make appointments starting on October 13, to be vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 during the autumn campaign. This will start on October 20, but this year the free vaccinations will be reserved for groups considered to be the most vulnerable.

In less than two weeks, the public will therefore be able to make appointments on Clic Santé. It will also be possible to do this at pharmacies, with over 1,700 in the province offering the flu and COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to those who are eligible.

This year, the free influenza and COVID-19 vaccine doses are reserved for people aged 65 years and older, as well as residents of CHSLDs (long-term care homes), private residences for the elderly, and other communal settings that include many vulnerable people.

The immunocompromised, those who suffer from a chronic disease, and pregnant women will also be entitled to free coverage. The same for healthcare workers. As for caregivers, they will be able to benefit from receiving free doses, but only for the flu.

For everyone else, it will now be necessary to spend around $30 at a pharmacy for the influenza vaccine, and around $150 for a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires (AQPP). However, some insurance plans will cover these costs.