Second dose allowed for those worried “adequate” won’t be good enough

On Monday Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services issued a statement to inform people who have had COVID-19 and one dose of vaccine that they are allowed to get a second dose if they are concerned about not being allowed to travel.

The decision was made based on a recommendation from the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec (CIQ) that travellers get a second dose, regardless of whether they are considered adequately vaccinated, in order to meet the criteria of double doses being implemented in various regions.

The notice states that no adequately vaccinated person should have to provide a justification for wanting a second dose, and that such doses can be administered at any active vaccination location, based on availability.

A single dose of vaccine continues to be considered adequate for someone who has previously had a case of COVID-19 and who does not wish to travel.

The province also announced the extension of a financial aid program set up last year to help students to be able to afford housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the extension, students will be able to declare additional living expenses through the loans and bursaries program through the 2022-23 school year. Students living at home will be entitled to claim an additional $96 per month, while those living away from home can add up to $205 per month to their living expenses.

The province reported 52 new cases on Monday as a part of 199 recorded since the last Friday, bringing the total number of people infected to 375,915 with 651 active cases. There was one new death added for a total of 11,231 since the start of the pandemic. The number of overall hospitalizations decreased by eight to 88 since the last update, but the number of people in intensive care increased by three, to 25.

There were no new cases at all in Monday’s report for the Eastern Townships, which covered all reporting for the weekend. The number of active cases was at 22 with five currently in hospital as a result of the virus. Of that 22, 14 are from the Haute-yamaska area, with the remainder being spread in ones and twos across the remaining regions. The Val Saint-françois and Memphrémagog regions both report no active cases at this time.

A total of 9,467,386 doses of vaccine had been administered in Québec as of Monday morning which, when combined with a total of 27,691 doses administered outside of the province, makes for a cumulative total of 9,495,077 doses received by Quebecers so far. This accounts for first does coverage in 72 per cent of the total population of the province and adequate vaccination in 41.6 per cent.

The next update on the local vaccination campaign in the Eastern Townships is expected on Tuesday, July 13, but as of last Friday local first dose coverage was at 69.7 per cent, with second doses at 36.9 per cent.

Another 324,090 doses of Pfizer are expected to arrive in the province this week.