Quebec is opening booster eligibility for the general population

In a press conference this afternoon, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced that booster eligibility will gradually open up for the general population in the province as of Jan. 4.

For the general population aged 18–59, booster eligibility will open to new five-year groups every two to three days, as was the case with the first Quebec rollout, allowing all Quebecers to book their appointments between Dec. 29 and Jan. 21, and to get their shots by March.

⚠️IMPORTANT : Voici la séquence prévue concernant la prise de rendez-vous pour la dose de rappel du vaccin contre la #COVID19.

Pour plus d'information ➡️ https://t.co/J4tGSdi7yg pic.twitter.com/faLD0tN5xX

— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) December 28, 2021

As of this Wednesday, the third dose of the vaccine will also open up for essential workers in different fields. All levels of healthcare workers (including those employed in home care and palliative care), the staff of all schools, community organizations and health and social services, public security and food processing plants (including slaughterhouses) can make booster appointments tomorrow.

Currently, Quebecers over 60, those with chronic illnesses, those who had two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine as well as hospital and daycare staff are eligible to book their booster dose.

Dubé also announced today that Quebec must “change the paradigm” for healthcare workers and other non-essential workers due to the dire need to retain hospital staff. Under certain conditions — on a case by case basis and with all safety protocols in place — hospital staff members who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to continue working. The alternative to this, Dubé said, is to limit all hospital activity to critical care.

This article was originally published at 1:20 p.m. and updated at 2:06 p.m.

For more on COVID-19 in Quebec, please click here.

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