Quebec opens vaccine bookings as flu threatens to hit early
Quebec health officials have opened bookings for fall vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV as surveillance data suggests an earlier-than-usual flu season. Experts warn that while an early peak is expected, the severity of the season remains uncertain.
Why it matters
Early vaccination campaigns are critical for public health preparedness, particularly for vulnerable populations, to mitigate the impact of respiratory virus surges.
at 7:38 p.m. Last Updated: October 14, 2026 at 3:34 p.m. Quebecers can now schedule their fall vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, as health officials warn flu season could arrive earlier than usual this year.
Appointments opened Tuesday, with vaccinations beginning Oct. 20. The province is urging people at greater risk of serious illness to get vaccinated early, while changes to this year’s campaign mean some Quebecers will no longer qualify for a free flu shot.
Dr. Jesse Papenburg, an infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and chair of the Quebec Immunization Committee, said recent surveillance data support the warning.
According to Papenburg, the proportion of influenza tests coming back positive reached 2.5 per cent last week, roughly five times the rate recorded at this point last year. Although still within pre-season levels, the figure has been rising week after week.
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