CALEB NICKERSON
PONTIAC Nov. 14, 2018
Flu season is here and local health authorities are targeting those most susceptible to the disease with free vaccinations. The official start of the Centre intégré de santé et des services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO)’s campaign was Nov. 1 and they’re hoping to improve their coverage of the population with free shots for those in a specific criteria.
Public Health representative Dr. Carol McConnery explained that this year the targeted demographic is anyone over 75 years of age, anyone 6 months or older with a chronic disease and pregnant women with a chronic disease as well as those in their second or third trimester.

“All the people that live [with] or take care of these people that have chronic diseases, including healthcare workers,” McConnery added. “People that were in the criteria before, they can ask for the vaccination and we’ll give it to them.”
She explained that studies show that these groups are the most vulnerable to complications stemming from influenza. Quebec is one of three provinces that doesn’t have a universal immunization program and according to Statistics Canada, had the lowest vaccination rates for those 12 years of age and older.
McConnery said they immunized about 40 per cent of at risk groups last year, and hopes to improve the numbers this year.
Vaccinations will be available by appointment at the Lion’s Hall in Bryson, Manoir Sacré-Coeur in Fort-Coulonge, the Otter Lake R.A. Hall, the Bert Kenny Centre in Quyon and the CLSCs in Rapides-des-Joachims, Chapeau and Shawville. Many local pharmacies are also offering vaccinations.
For more information, residents can call 844-351-6277 or check online at clicsante.ca.