Demand for flu shot surges at Quebec pharmacies, clinics

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Quebec ordered 2 million doses of the vaccine, which is 400,000 more than in 2019. Photo: Robert Short, CBC

NOTE: The CME clinic pharmacy is now booking appointments for the 2020 season flu shot. Call them at 514-788-6608.

(CBC News) — Quebec pharmacies and regional health authorities are struggling to keep up with a surge in demand for the flu vaccine.

The online booking system in Montérégie crashed on Tuesday, the first day residents were able to book an appointment through the regional health authority.

Pharmacies are also seeing a jump in demand for vaccines.

A review of Montreal locations shows that, in many cases, the first round of vaccinations is already booked up.

“We’re overwhelmed,” said Fady Kamel, a pharmacist and owner of the Proximed branch in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux. “We’re getting a lot of people that are very anxious about their vaccine.”

The province has ordered two million doses, which is about 400,000 more than in 2019. Although Quebec placed the bulk of that order prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry says it will be enough to meet the demand. (…)

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