Quebec urges people to get flu shots as annual vaccination campaign kicks off

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(CBC News) — It’s that time of year again.

Quebec’s flu vaccine campaign kicked off last Wednesday, and provincial health authorities are stressing just how important getting the flu shot is to prevent getting sick, especially for young children and seniors.

The campaign expects to see more than two million doses of the vaccine distributed this year.

Dr. Yves Jalbert of the Quebec public health agency said the flu shot is strongly recommended for children from six to 23 months old, anyone with a chronic disease, pregnant women, and people above age 60.

Anyone close to those vulnerable people, as well as health-care workers, are also particularly affected.

The flu is very contagious and can lead to serious complications, said Jalbert. Vulnerable people can end up in hospital.

Quebec Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois said the vaccine is free for individuals who are more at risk of developing complications from the flu. (…)

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