Vaccination of children aged six months to five years is to start next week in Quebec, according to estimates by Prime Minister François Legault.
• Also read: Quebec reports 20 new deaths from COVID
• Also read: COVID positive: do you know when to self-isolate?
“We are working on it, we will have public health OK in the coming days, and from next week we should start vaccinating children,” he revealed on the sidelines of a press conference on Thursday morning.
Last week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine for children ages six months to five years.
The general direction of public health in the coming days should determine the modalities of vaccination, particularly whether the vaccine will be available to all children or to immunocompromised and vulnerable children.
The prime minister also urged Quebecers to exercise caution in the face of COVID-19 as cases have surged in recent weeks.
“The number of cases has increased, but it is important to understand that with the new variant there are fewer hospitalizations and fewer deaths. What helps is vaccination,” he explained.
He reminds that the health network is “overburdened” with the cases affecting medical staff and the summer vacation period. To do this, he urges people with a “non-serious” health problem to avoid emergencies and instead see a family doctor.
“The situation is under control but we have to remain cautious,” Mr Legault said.