Quebec's annual flu shot campaign officially begins next Thursday, just as the Quebec government recently reversed a decision by the Liberals to stop offering free flu shots to certain segments of the population.
The Liberal government had announced that the flu shot would no longer be free for healthy adults aged between 60 to 74 years and healthy children who are between six months to 23-months-old, citing a study suggesting they don't have a higher risk of flu-related complications compared to other groups.
But Quebec Health Minister Danielle McCann said they want to make sure everyone who is at risk of getting complications from the flu gets the free shot.
So now everyone over 60 can get the free vaccination as well kids aged six to 23 months.
"When you're in good health, it's still recommended. If you catch the flu, you will have fever, you cough a lot, you will be hospitalized," said Nancy Lyons, the head of the West Island Health Authority's flu campaign.
Lyons said that the risks are greater if you are older than 74 or if you have a chonic illness.
"You're more at risk if you catch the flu to get hospitalized, to get complications from the flu, you can even die from the flu," said Lyons.
The flu shot is also free for most pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, residents of remote or isolated communities, and those in contact with people who are at risk of developing complications.
The West Island flu campaign begins a little later on November 6.