Flu shot free for all as of Friday
Quebec has finally decided to make the flu shot free for everybody – an “exceptional” measure for this year only.
I’ve been getting a flu shot every year for at least ten years, and never had to pay. I’m not a senior citizen, I don’t have any obvious risk factors – but nobody has ever asked me, or anyone within view, for money. I tend to think that Quebec wanted people to believe they had to pay, to keep numbers down, but in fact if you went and asked for a flu shot they gave it to you, no questions asked.
Kim 10:24 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
I also get a flu shot every year at the pharmacy, and have had to pay every year, as well as my partner.
jeather 10:36 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
In my experience at a pharmacy, they are strict about who gets a free shot, while at a clinic they just give it to anyone who wants.
Kate 10:48 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
Previous years I went to the CLSC, once – in the first year of the pandemic – to a special flu shot clinic. But this year, Clic‑Santé sent me to the closest Pharmaprix. A few people were lined up, people of various ages, I waited, I got the shot, and I didn’t have to pay – maybe because this was an arrangement with Quebec rather than the pharmacy itself? But there wasn’t a cash desk or card machine anywhere in sight.
Mark Côté 10:53 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
Same, I’ve rarely paid. Last year I did, although my daughter was free because she has light asthma. This year I went to the same pharmacy and when I asked about paying at the end the nurse just sorta smiled and shrugged.
EmilyG 11:36 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
I’ve never had to pay for a flu shot. I’m prepared to mention my asthma if they ask if I’m in a priority group, but they haven’t asked.
Daniel D 11:41 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
When I went for my COVID shot last week at the Olympic Stadium, they offered me the flu shot as well free of charge even though I’m not in a priority group. Perhaps this was unofficial policy?
jeather 11:46 on 2022-11-25 Permalink
Guess the pharmacy depends, I haven’t heard stories of it being free before. I’ve never paid either, but I only have gone to vaccination centres. It was very weird going in asking only for flu (because I had gotten covid booster a few weeks prior), most people wanted both and a few just covid. I’m hoping the good news about mRNA for flu comes soon because I got so sick from the vaccine when the COVID ones have had no effect and I’m convinced it is the reason. (All vaccines make me sick, though only temporarily.)