Flu and Covid-19 vaccines available across the region as winter flu season intensifies
Greg Newing
With flu season in full swing and Covid 19 cases increasing in the Outaouais, residents are now able to get vaccinated by making an appointment or visiting walk-in vaccination centres.
Flu Vaccines
As of November 25, flu vaccines are available to all Outaouais residents free of charge. To get vaccinated for the flu residents must make an appointment or visit a mobile clinic location (more information on mobile clinics below). The Government of Quebec recommends the flu vaccine to vulnerable populations such as people aged 75 or older, pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters and anyone with a chronic illness. Those who are not vulnerable, can still protect others by getting the flu vaccine to limit the spread of the virus.
To make an appointment for yourself or for a friend or family member visit www.clicsante.ca and click “Vaccination” then select the “Flu Vaccine (Influenza) subcategory” and click the “Select this Service” button. Enter your postal code and you will see a list of available vaccine locations. Click on a clinic and click the “Book” button and choose an available date and time, then fill out the relevant information on the booking form. Some vaccination centres offer the flu and Covid 19 vaccination at the same time and you will have an option to book both when filling out the booking form.
Appointments can also be made by phone by calling 819 966 6277 or 1 844 351 6277
The CISSS asks that all residents bring their health card to the appointment and to allow for a 15-minute wait after the vaccination. Those with Covid 19 symptoms are asked to stay home.
Mobile vaccination clinics will be at the following locations in December:
December 4
Low CLSC (334 route 105) from 11 am to 7 pm
Cantley CLSC (850 Montée de la Source) from 11 am to 7pm
December 5
Chénéville Centre-St-Félix de Valois (77 rue Hôtel de Ville) 10 am to 7 pm
December 11
Gracefield CLSC (12 rue Principale) from 11 am to 7pm
Chelsea CLSC (490 route 105 suite 201) from 11 am to 7 pm
For further information about flu vaccination in Quebec visit www.quebec.ca/vaccinGrippe .
Covid 19 Vaccines
Anyone aged 6 months and over is eligible for the first two doses of the Covid 19 vaccine and those aged 5 and over can receive booster doses (3rd, 4th, 5th vaccines). To make an appointment visit www.clicsante.ca and click “Covid-19” and follow the same steps as booking the flu vaccine described above or call 1 877 644 4545. Vaccines are also available at 15 walk-in locations across the Outaouais with no appointment required. For locations and opening hours of walk-in centres visit https://cisss-outaouais.gouv.qc.ca/covid19-en/covid-19-vaccination/ or call 1 877 644 4545.
The CISSS de l’Outaouais also offers a drop-in troubleshooting service for issues such as registering vaccines outside of Quebec or help with QR code printing for vaccination certificates. The service is offered at the Gatineau Vaccination Centre at 75 blvd de la Gappe from 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 9:30am to 4:30pm on Saturday, and at all vaccination locations during their opening hours or at the same time as a vaccination appointment.
The new protein-based Novavax Covid-19 vaccine is now available for those aged 18 and over as an alternative to the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines. For more information about this vaccine call 819 776 2920.