Montreal

Albertans can now make their appointment online, go directly to a pharmacy or call 811, to be vaccinated against respiratory viruses.

The respiratory virus vaccines that will be offered this fall are specifically designed to provide a strong defense, says Chief Medical Officer of Health Mark Joffe in a statement.

Three vaccines, two dates

The vaccination campaign begins on October 15 for COVID-19 and flu vaccines. These two vaccines can be administered at the same time.

As for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, the campaign will begin on October 21. The vaccine is available to people aged 60 and over residing in continuing care homes and assisted living facilities.

This vaccine should be given two weeks before, or after, the COVID-19 or flu vaccine.

Status of respiratory viruses in Alberta

According to the information from the province (New window) (in English), 3,348 people were hospitalized due to influenza in 2023-2024, and 6,081 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Since the start of the 2024-2025 season, COVID-19 has caused the deaths of 44 people.

The respiratory virus season is off to a strong start in Ottawa with very high levels of COVID-19 within health care settings, according to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). Free vaccination campaigns are being launched in both Ontario and Quebec to prevent the spread of seasonal viruses.

As of October 7, 22 outbreaks of COVID-19 were declared in long-term care homes, retirement homes and public hospitals in the capital. The number of outbreaks is approximately twice as high as the average of the previous three years for the same period. High levels of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also reported by Ottawa Public Health (OPH).

On the Outaouais side, there are five outbreaks in total in hospitals, long-term care centers (CHSLD) and private residences for the elderly, which is lower than last year at the same date , according to the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Outaouais.

We have some apprehensions, we hear around us that people are sick with the children returning to school. We are really in the middle of the flu season, warns the coordinator of the vaccination clinic and screening at the CISSS de l’Outaouais, Frédérique Morin.

Public health organizations recommend vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccines available to at-risk people in Ontario

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are already available for those most at risk of contracting infection. Adults over 65, residents of long-term care homes and people with certain health problems are eligible.

For these people, it is possible to make an appointment with pharmacies or their doctor. They will be able to register from October 9 on the SPO portal for appointments from October 15.

In Eastern Ontario, the flu vaccine is already offered to children aged 6 months to under 5 years old as well as their family members. In Ottawa, flu vaccines will also be offered starting October 21 for those most at risk.

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Children under 5 years old and their families are eligible for flu vaccination in Eastern Ontario. (Archive photo)

Photo : Shutterstock

The general population will be able to get COVID-19 and flu vaccines starting October 28 in Ontario.

Vaccination for all from October 16 in Outaouais

In Outaouais, mobile teams are currently deployed in certain living environments to vaccinate against COVID-19 and the flu, such as in CHSLDs and private residences for the elderly.

It is a service that was born during [la pandémie de COVID-19]explains the coordinator of the vaccination clinic and screening at the CISSS de l’Outaouais.

Vaccination against COVID-19 and flu will then be offered to the entire population from October 16.

However, it is possible to make an appointment today in Clic Santé, the appointment platform that everyone knows and [par le biais] from our call center, mentions Frédérique Morin.

Appointments are available at local community service centers (CLSC), pharmacies and temporary vaccination clinics, among others.

Vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also accessible both in Quebec and in Ontario under certain conditions for infants, pregnant women and the elderly.

Frédérique Morin recalls that vaccination can prevent hospitalizations and even deaths of the most vulnerable people.

Getting vaccinated can reduce the symptoms of the disease and also make it possible to transmit fewer viruses around us, she adds.

The election campaign in Saskatchewan is entering its second week. On Monday, outgoing Premier and Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe said his party will make it easier to access fertility treatments and cancer screening tests if re-elected on October 28.

If the Saskatchewan Party wins the next election, it will create a 50% refundable tax credit for the cost of a first fertility treatment.

According to information provided by the party, this tax credit will help cover costs related to fertility treatments as well as associated prescription drugs, up to a maximum amount of $20,000, which would represent a benefit of 10 000 $.

Scott Moe also discussed his party’s desire to improve cervical cancer screening by allowing women aged 25 to 69 to self-screen for human papillomavirus infection. (HPV).

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Currently, women in the province receive a letter every three years from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, reminding them to make an appointment for a Pap test.

Photo : Radio-Canada / Carl Boivin

Currently, women in the province receive a letter every three years from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, reminding them to make an appointment for a Pap test. Thanks to this new initiative, they will have the opportunity to receive a self-sampling kit by mail for screening for HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer.

The Saskatchewan Party will improve access to health services for women in the province through these important new initiatives, says Scott Moe in the press release.

A strong and growing economy means our government can provide better services to everyone, and these are two ways to improve health care for women in Saskatchewan.

The party emphasizes that this initiative would make Saskatchewan the second Canadian province, after British Columbia, to offer self-testing as an option to the traditional Papanicolaou test.

Early diagnosis gives the best chance of beating cancer, said Laura Ross, Saskatchewan Party candidate for Regina Rochdale and a cancer survivor.

This is why the Saskatchewan Party wants to make cervical cancer screening easier for women.

Scott Moe has no plan

In response to these announcements, the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) noted that it has been advocating for years for increased support for people seeking fertilization. in vitro, a medically assisted procreation technique.

When I raised this crucial issue, members of the Saskatchewan Party heckled me and dismissed my concerns, says Meara Conway, NDP candidate for the Regina Elphinstone Center riding.

The latter recalls that fertilization in vitro is one of the promises of New Democratic leader and candidate in the next provincial election, Carla Beck.

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Meara Conway is the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for the Regina Elphinstone Center riding.

Photo : Radio-Canada / Kirk Fraser

Meara Conway expresses doubts about Scott Moe’s ability to deliver on his health care campaign promises.

The NDP also highlights its intention to tackle the crisis in emergency rooms in the province.

Scott Moe has no plan to resolve the crisis, the party says.

There are also more than 200,000 people in the province who do not have regular access to a doctor.

With information from The Canadian Press

The British Columbia New Democratic Party (NDP) announces a student loan repayment program to encourage health professionals to settle in rural areas. He also intends to give a greater role to midwives in the province.

This Saturday, NDP leader David Eby promised to invest $75 million to repay the student loans of health professionals who commit to working in rural areas for a minimum of five years.

This measure allows us to provide funding for up to 5,000 health professionals per year, over the next five years, assesses David Eby. The NDP promises repayment of up to $20,000 for student loans who want to become doctors, nurses or health professionals eligible for the program.

The announcement comes after a summer marked by emergency closures in British Columbia, particularly in rural communities. Last August, more than 200 emergency closures had been recorded in the province since the start of 2024.

The goal is to ensure that when people are looking for a place to exercise, they think of smaller areas in British Columbia.

A quote from David Eby, leader of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia

The party also wants to issue interim work licenses to doctors more quickly so that these health-care workers can work immediately when they move to British Columbia.

The party also plans to expand Go Health BC, the program that covers travel expenses for health professionals who support rural emergency rooms. According to the leader of the BC NDP, this will reduce reliance on nursing agencies.

The new measures proposed for the recruitment of doctors and nurses in British Columbia are estimated at $3 million.

More room for midwives

The NDP leader announced that, under his leadership, midwives will be able to prescribe treatments for abortions and administer maternity care.

Mr. Eby also intends to enable midwives to insert IUDs, screen for sexually transmitted diseases and offer professional support to victims of sexual assault.

David Eby says these workers’ room to maneuver is often limited, since outdated rules assume midwives are unable to support women [adéquatement].

Mr. Eby believes that by removing the administrative barriers that midwives face in their practice, the NDP is ensuring that women have quality care throughout the province, wherever they need it.

According to Cat de Cent, a member of the Association of British Columbia Midwives, many people face significant barriers to accessing timely and safe abortions in the province.

The midwife observes that this problem is even more pronounced for those who live in rural, remote, or indigenous communities.

Cat de Cent says midwives are already filling a gap in the health system, and are being approached by members of [leur] community in any way for different health needs.

She supports the measures announced by the NDP, because she notes that midwives represent a valued and reliable part of the health system, especially in rural communities.