:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/politics/2023/02/02/quebec-says-only-people-at-risk-who-havent-had-covid-19-should-get-booster-dose/20230202140228-72c1d95f236f66ba98e59009ceeb64b48491815ff083c29b60077cdea5622ce4.jpg)
MONTREAL – Quebec’s Health Department says only residents who are considered at risk for severe COVID-19 — and who haven’t already been infected — need to get a booster dose.
Public health director Dr. Luc Boileau announced the change to the province’s vaccination recommendations today in Montreal.
Boileau says because the vast majority of Quebecers have hybrid immunity — protection through vaccination and through a SARS-CoV-2 infection — regular boosters are no longer needed, at least for this winter and spring.
However, people who are 60 and older or who have chronic illnesses, health workers, pregnant women and those who live in isolated regions should continue to get boosters every six months if they’ve never caught the virus.
Boileau says only people who are immunocompromised should continue getting boosters whether or not they’ve been infected.
Before today’s announcement, boosters were recommended for all people considered at risk of severe COVID-19.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2023.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)
:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/politics/2023/02/02/quebec-says-only-people-at-risk-who-havent-had-covid-19-should-get-booster-dose/20230202140228-72c1d95f236f66ba98e59009ceeb64b48491815ff083c29b60077cdea5622ce4.jpg&description=Quebec+says+only+people+at+risk+who+haven%E2%80%99t+had+COVID-19+should+get+booster+dose){kind=link}